Cops: Pala'uh beggars not yet fined RM10,000, probed for not wearing mask
Police have denied fining nine Bajau Laut women RM10,000 for not wearing masks while begging.
Lahad Datu police chief Rohan Shah Ahmad told Malaysiakini that compounds are only issued to Malaysians, but said the women were under investigation...
Police have denied fining nine Bajau Laut women RM10,000 for not wearing masks while begging.
Lahad Datu police chief Rohan Shah Ahmad told Malaysiakini that compounds are only issued to Malaysians, but said the women were under investigation.
The Bajau Laut community, also known as Pala'uh, are stateless people.
"Because the beggars were stateless, investigations must be referred to the deputy public prosecutor's office for further instructions," he said when contacted.
Earlier, two Sabah media reported that the women were compounded RM10,000, causing an uproar on social media at the alleged punishment for beggars.
The women, aged between 17 and 41, were arrested yesterday together with 25 children while begging at two traffic light intersections at Jalan Bunga Raya.
In a statement about the arrests, Rohan said the women were being investigated for not wearing masks and not observing social distancings, which can be punished by a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or jail not exceeding six months.
The women were also being investigated over other offences, such as under the Child Act for using children to beg.
Rohan added that the Bajau Laut community were seen as "challenging" existing laws by hiding behind their stateless status, even if it could lead to the spread of Covid-19 to locals.
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