Child beggars problem in Tawau

TAWAU: The increasing child and street beggars have become a common sight in Tawau town and a cause for concern, said Tawau Member of Parliament Datuk Chua Soon Bui.

She said the matter will be brought up to Parliament to seek for a solution to redress the problem.

Chua, who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Vice President, said the non-effective enforcement or rather nonchalant attitude by the authorities might send a wrong signal to those syndicates operating behind these kids that it is alright to do it in Tawau.

"I encountered with these about 10 years' old kids mostly girls early this year at Sabindo, who were carrying nude babies about 6 months' old, seen to be under-nourished with eczema especially on the face, lying the babies at the five-foot way, seek for sympathies and beg for money.

She said she was more shocked to see the kid later dragged the baby on the floor and ran towards big cars to solicit for money. She asked the kids for their addresses so that she could bring food and clothing for the children. However, these kids just ran away without responding.

She believed that more kids are doing it in other parts of Sabindo.

"I urge the authorities to act on the matter seriously, what are the status of these kids and babies in Tawau? Who are the syndicates or people behind it because they don't seen to be afraid of the authority. What message does it give to the visitors and tourists that there are many street kids and nude babies beggars in Tawau ? - when asked by a foreign visitor in Tawau, can't the government do anything about it?

"It is bad enough that many street kids are selling peanuts at Sabindo night stalls, and now our streets are looming around with nude babies beggars. If left unattended, the safety and security of these babies are at risk and our law and enforcement being ignored.

"The people behind them might resort to even more drastic moves to look for more sympathy and more money.