Latest news with #DestitutePersonsAct1977
The Star
22-05-2025
- The Star
Welfare Department to serve as main coordinator
PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Welfare Department (JKMWPKL) will serve as the main coordinating body on issues related to beggars through the KL Strike Force Committee under Destitute and Children activities. Under the Destitute Persons Act 1977 (Act 183), a person who begs is defined as an individual who engages in any conduct that encourages the giving of alms. The JKM and other enforcement agencies regularly conduct joint, scheduled and ad-hoc operations to pick up beggars. As such, any authorised officer or welfare officer can pick up a destitute person and bring them before a magistrate within 24 hours. 'JKM is constantly collaborating with other enforcement agencies, including local authorities (PBT), the Immigration Department (JIM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), the National Registration Department (JPN) and other agencies according to the case category. 'However, JKM only takes action against beggars who meet the definitions as stated in Act 183,' JKM told The Star. It added that JKM officers do not have jurisdiction over destitute individuals who fall under the enforcement of other agencies. These include non-citizens and immigrants holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards (Immigration Act 1959/63, Act 155); mentally disturbed beggars (Mental Health Act 2001, Act 615); cases of suspected chronic or infectious diseases (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, Act 342); drug addicts (Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983, Act 283); alcohol addicts (Minor Offences Act 1955, Act 366); glue sniffers (Poison Act 1952, Act 366); and unauthorised collectors (House to House and Street Collections Act 1947, Act 200). For such cases, action will be taken by the relevant enforcement agencies under their respective legal jurisdictions.
The Star
22-05-2025
- The Star
Call to update Destitute Act
PETALING JAYA: As the cars wait in line for the lights to turn green, a group is on the move. Street beggars knocking on car windows have become a common sight in the Klang Valley. They are also to be found elsewhere – many park themselves along pavements, LRT stations and places where people gather. The old and outdated Destitute Persons Act 1977 (Act 183) does not have enough enforcement powers and authority to deal with the issue of beggars and the homeless, says lawyer Rajsurian Pillai. He said there needs to be either new laws or preferably, updates to the existing laws, as the current Act only provides for the protection, care and rehabilitation of those determined to be 'destitutes'. 'The term 'destitutes' is vaguely and broadly defined and the law is also based on colonial anti-vagrancy laws. Many who are caught often return to begging and remain homeless upon release. 'Perhaps, more penal punishments need to be introduced to give the Act more teeth i.e. fines, compounds, community service, imprisonment and other court-determined orders,' he said in response to the issue of the rising number of beggars in the city. Rajsurian added it was vital to take into account that begging has evolved over time, with some making it a 'career' and syndicates using children or trafficked persons. Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (Pemadam) human resource development bureau honourary secretary Rashdan Rashid also agreed that firm enforcement is needed under Act 183. He suggested that fines be imposed on people who give money to beggars. 'In Indonesia, there are several provinces (Surabaya, Jogjakarta and Bandung) where those who are begging are caught and those who give money are fined. This is what is needed to make the Act an effective law. 'When you can no longer give out money to beggars, it immediately hits the nail right on the issue,' he said. He also said Rela personnel could be used to help guard specific areas where vagrants are known to be present. Asked on how to handle the beggars from marring the image of the country, Rashdan suggested that they be placed at temporary shelters and given training to pick up new skills. Kechara Soup Kitchen Society marketing director Justin Cheah, who has been helping vagrants for years, says beggars are not necessarily homeless and homeless people are not beggars either. 'Beggars have now become a common sight in places where there are a lot of people coming and going. 'We need officers from the Welfare Department or local councils to get these people off the streets but we also need transit homes where they can be placed. 'Once they are in these shelters, we need to help them move on with jobs, families and skills. But there are no specific laws to address begging and homelessness,' he said, adding that amendments to Act 183 have been pending without any positive outcome. On Oct 17 last year, Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat that they have identified provisions under Act 183 that require a new, more practical and appropriate approach in addressing the issue of homelessness and begging. She added that the ministry had examined the findings of the study conducted on the Act. The result of the study, which was completed in June 2024, includes recommendations on the content, approach and scope of the Bill in handling the issue.
