Video Of Middle Eastern Child Begging In Bukit Bintang Sparks Arguments Online
While the beggars were accused of being ‘Arabs’, some in the comments said they’re actually Syrian.
- A video of men restraining a begging child in Bukit Bintang went viral, sparking heated debate among netizens online.
- Foreign begging in Kuala Lumpur is a longstanding issue, with panhandlers reportedly earning up to RM150 per session.
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Over the weekend, a short video of an incident in Bukit Bintang went viral on several social media platforms, and prompting numerous netizens to leave their comments.
The video shows a group of men, presumably Malaysian, approaching a child who was panhandling in Bukit Bintang. The men physically restrained the child, pulling him away from a girl who appeared to be his sister.
When a bystander attempted to intervene and help, the men confronted him, aggressively asking, “You want to call the police? Let’s call the police,” and “What are you doing here?” before adding, “This is Malaysia. Is this your country or my country?” while accusing the bystander of being ‘Arab’.
Netizens’ Reactions Were Mixed
A number of commenters praised the actions of the Malaysian men, and criticized the ‘Arabs’ for begging, harassing tourists and using the situation in Palestine for their own financial gain.
One netizen said that the ‘Arabs’ are actually Syrians, who go around the world to “commit their crimes then claim they’re Arab”.
Meanwhile, netizens who appear to be from Saudi Arabia criticized the men for scaring children, and mentioned that they could’ve reported the beggars to the authorities without resorting to violence.
Someone also brought up the issue of begging syndicates, which to be fair, is a real and longstanding issue here.
“Arab” Beggars Have Been Around Since At Least 2023
While it remains unclear if the individuals in the video are part of an organized group, tension surrounding foreign panhandlers in Kuala Lumpur has been building for years.
Reports as early as 2023 highlighted groups of foreign beggars operating across hotspots like Jalan Imbi, Bukit Bintang, Jalan Hang Tuah, Masjid India, Pasar Seni, and Jalan Petaling.
According to those reports, some of these panhandlers reportedly pose as tourists, staying in hotels and dining at fast-food restaurants when not begging. A separate investigation revealed that foreign beggars can earn as much as RM150 in a single Friday session outside local mosques.
In response to the ongoing issue, the Social Welfare and Immigration departments conduct periodic enforcement operations to curb the practice.
Regardless of the frustrations surrounding public panhandling, commenters and advocacy groups alike echo that vigilantism and harassment are never the solution, especially when they involve children.
Nadir Al-Nuri, a local humanitarian activist who previously stayed in Gaza Strip also condemned the men for showing force against children who aren’t afforded human rights and cannot fight back.
Under Malaysian law, including the Child Act 2001, the safety and protection of minors remain paramount, and any suspected exploitation or illegal activity should be left strictly to the police and relevant enforcement authorities.
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