THE PAHANG welfare department (JKM) yesterday revealed the case of a beggar at the Sri Jaya night market in Maran town who owns a Proton X70 Premium.
The incident unfolded when officers from the department's Maran office were conducting checks to eradicate begging activities in the area when they saw a man wearing a jubah and kopiah.
The man was spotted in between the stall umbrellas at the market, holding a paper bag and seeking help from passers by.
Both the man's hands appeared smaller than normal.
The officers approached the man and asked him why he was begging, but he did not answer them.
Assuming he was hearing and speech impaired, the officers tried asking him for his MyKad.
They also noticed that the man had several pieces of ringgit notes in the bag he was carrying.
When pressed for his identity card, the man, who was not deaf and mute as assumed, responded and told the officers it was in his car.
The officers then followed the man to the vehicle.
They were shocked to find that the man who was seen begging earlier was driving an sports utility vehicle (SUV) worth around RM125,000.
Further investigation by the department revealed that the man lived in Balok, Kuantan and travelled to the night market area daily to beg.
Checks also revealed that he has been receiving RM450 monthly from JKM for his supposed disability since 2001.
He also admitted that the Proton X70 was his and that he made up to RM500 begging at the night market for about four to five hours daily.
The man was let off with a warning as it was his first offence in the district.
JKM urged the public to be careful as to whom they donate to. -- The Vibes, February 23, 2024
