BEAUFORT: A male illegal immigrant from China was arrested for begging in front of a mosque and tamu (farmer’s market), here, on Friday.
District Police Chief DSP Ismail Abdullah police acted on complaints from the public.
He said the man, aged in his 60s, was seen limping and walking with a crutch to gain the sympathy of the public, but could walk normally when arrested.
“He carried a plastic cup with the purpose of begging and was verified to have received a lot of money from kind donors,” he said.
Ismail said he was detained for further investigation and would be handed over to the Immigration Department.
The suspect will also be charged under Section 21(e) of the Minor Offences Ordinance (Sabah Cap. 80).
“The police will crack down on any illegal immigrants and the public is urged to report to the police if they suspect any in their area,” he said.
Ismail said the police will also investigate his other friends such as another elderly Chinese national woman who has also been seen begging around restaurants and towns as far as Beaufort Jaya.
