Call to act on the rising beggars in Lahad Datu
Published on: Friday, September 06, 2019
By: Lorena Binisol
LAHAD DATU: Foreigners walking by the roadside asking for money from motorists is now a common sight in the district.
The local authority carried out certain measures like detaining them and warning not to repeat such act. However, the warning did not deter them.
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“Some even bring underage children walking under the hot sun asking for money from passers-by or motorists. Those who are daring will go to the busy traffic waiting for vehicles to stop and quickly knock on the windows.
“This act shocked many motorists and even outsiders such as the tourists,” said Jeffrin.
When asked who might this group who do not look like local may be, Jeffrin suspected a syndicate asking these foreigners to solicit money and later give it to their “leader”.
One of the residents who had moved out of Lahad Datu since 1989, Clementina, said she was shocked to find Lahad Datu had become different over the years.
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“It feels so unsafe having to see these people walking about aimlessly. Some children would even pull your shirt begging for money.
Some of them even sit just outside the bank as if waiting for people to come out of the bank to ask for money,” said Clementina.
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She moved out of Lahad Datu in 1989. “Coming back to my hometown is always a happy moment as I could visit my birthplace.
However, with such unpleasant sight in some of the town areas, it is not a good thing at all. The locals feel insecure with their presence. It is also bad for tourism,” she lamented.
At another small town, the traffic light has become their “meeting place”, and all eyes are on the passers-by.
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