BY: LYNDY ANG

In increasing numbers, disadvantaged persons are taking advantage of their disadvantage to gain capital in Malaysia and this has now become a phenomenon that is troubling and annoying to many people.

Capitalizing on their disadvantage seems to be a very lucrative way and manner in which these unscrupulous people try to cope with the increasing cost of living and even to get ahead of many others in the country.

For instance, a popular choice or option for disadvantaged and marginalized groups is to resort to begging as this hardly requires any effort or skill but can yield a lot of money that is collected in a relatively short space of time.

In view of how huge the begging “industry” is in Malaysia, syndicates have teamed up with disabled, disadvantaged persons or hired them in rackets that are growing to fleece people of their money.

Rightfully, Malaysians have become wary of disabled, disadvantaged persons and their crooked partners as they are cautious of giving a handout nowadays as these are difficult times and money is hard to earn.

The authorities must crack down on beggars and instead send them for training and rehabilitation so that they might be aware of not only the dangers of begging but also the fact that society does not condone or approve of begging.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher