Cambodian detained for posing as Muslim, begging for donations at Ramadan bazaar

A Cambodian national was detained for posing as a Muslim when begging for donations at a Ramadan bazaar in Sura Gate here Tuesday.

Dungun Social Welfare Department officer Naufar Yusof said the suspect was detained after he failed to recite the Syahadah when asked by the arresting officer at 6pm.

He said the Cambodian man, in his 30s, was among nine individuals arrested in the two-hour integrated operation mounted with the cooperation from the police, Immigration Department, Health Department and the National Anti-Drug Agency.

He said it was learnt that the man travelled from Kampung Nyior, Paka, about 30km from here, to beg for donations at the bazaar daily.

"He manage to rake in RM200 in just two hour by posing as a beggar in the area," he told reporters here.

Meanwhile, Naufar said seven other individuals were also detained at the bazaar for selling books to raise fund for a welfare organisation in Johor without authorisation.

"One of them is an underage girl who is also a school drop out," he said.

Naufar said the department would continue participating in such operations to curb begging and illegal fund-raising activities in the district to prevent the public from being cheated.