JOHOR POLICE EXPOSES SYNDICATE EXPLOITING DISABLED FOREIGNERS AS BEGGARS

JOHOR BAHRU, July 9 (Bernama) -- The Johor police have managed to expose a human trafficking syndicate exploiting disabled foreigners by paying them RM300 monthly to be beggars in the state.

Johor police chief CP M Kumar said they also arrested two local men and a local woman, 42 to 53, who acted as a guardian and transporters for the syndicate in raids around several locations in the city from 8.30 pm to 10.30 pm on June 13.

"The syndicate would offer disabled foreigners work as beggars, and pass them off to guardians to manage their accommodation and weekly collections.

"Two disabled men, 44 and 50, (who were rescued by the police) not only had to pay RM800 a week for passport arrangements, but also needed to hand over their weekly collections to the guardians, while receiving RM300 in payment a month for begging,” he said at a media conference at the Johor contingent police headquarters here today, adding that the syndicate had been operating since April and that every beggar could collect up to RM8,000 a month.

Kumar also said that the charges under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007 were made against the three locals at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court today.

"The suspect acting as the guardian appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges and was given bail of RM12,000, while the court issued arrest warrants for the two transporters for failing to attend today’s proceedings,” he said.

He added that both the rescued disabled victims have been placed at a temporary safe house for 21 days in accordance with provisions of Section 44(2) of the ATIPSOM Act 2007.

-- BERNAMA