Chief Minister Idris Haron said those caught begging on the streets would be taken to court and charged under the local government, welfare department and state Islamic affairs department’s enactments, reported The Star Online today.

“The state welfare department has a database on those receiving monthly financial aid, and those soliciting donations on the streets are considered illegal,” he said.

“Those without a steady income are given monthly aid, so we feel there is no need for anyone to turn to begging,” he told the news portal.

Idris said the state would also take action against those who solicited money from the public by peddling items or religious paraphernalia in the name of charity or religion, adding that this also covered foreigners who begged or peddled knick-knacks, supposedly for charity.

He said there were also complaints of children being used to pester people to purchase holy books outside of banks, restaurants and other busy areas and tourist hotspots.

“We are aware of syndicates exploiting children by asking them to solicit funds from the public,” he said.

Idris added that the state government had appealed to the home ministry to help crack down on the masterminds of syndicates behind these activities.

“We have reports that money collected by these children is deposited into the accounts of individuals believed to be the masterminds of these syndicates,” he said.

He said enforcement officers in the state’s Islamic affairs department would also be on the lookout for those who peddled religious items.