The arrest of the syndicate's main mastermind in Op Pengemis put a halt to the operations of foreign beggars who routinely collect RM500 in alms money at Ramadan bazaars around the state.

The suspect, a 35-year-old local male, was detained in the raid at around 7.30 p.m., along with three foreign beggars who were brought from Kuantan and ranged in age from 33 to 46.

The operation, according to Melaka Police Chief Datuk Zainol Samah, was executed as a result of a number of complaints he received regarding the rising number of begging activities in Ramadan bazaars, malls, and supermarkets.

He said that after that, a coordinated operation was carried out by the police, the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), and local authorities (PBT) to take action against this syndicate.

"During Operation Pengemis, we were able to detain four people, three of them were foreigners, for their involvement in begging for the construction of a religious school in Southern Thailand.

In a statement released, he said, "We also seized documents meant to deceive the public and cash totalling RM736."

"This main mastermind is responsible for bringing the three foreigners from Kuantan to Malacca using his vehicle for the purpose of begging and managing their accommodation at a hotel in Jalan Tun Perak here.

By targeting Ramadan bazaar locations, "This syndicate also obtains a daily collection of between RM400 and RM500," he claimed.

He continued by saying that during questioning, the primary suspect disclosed that he worked as a canteen operator at a school in Kuantan.

According to Zainol, all suspects were detained in line with Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in People Act to aid in the investigation.

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