WALK through any busy commercial street in our cities and you will see it: adults sitting or standing for hours under a scorching sun or pouring rain, holding a sleepy infant and a sheet of paper, asking passers-by for money.
The child is limp, the plea is rehearsed and the crowd, understandably moved, reach for their wallets.
But a growing number of Malaysians are asking an uncomfortable question: Is this genuine hardship or an organised operation that uses babies as a business tool?
Enforcement agencies and welfare organisations have long warned that some begging activities are orchestrated by syndicates. These syndicates may recruit or transport people, assign them to prime locations, collect the day’s earnings and give back only a small share.
Babies and toddlers are valuable to these operations because they trigger instant sympathy. Children may be sedated, kept hungry or left exposed to heat and rain to make the scene look more desperate. That is not poverty; it is exploitation.
So who do we blame? Firstly, the syndicates – the people who profit from this trade and who may be committing offences related to child abuse and human trafficking – that carry the greatest responsibility.
Secondly, weak follow-through. When the same faces reappear on the same corners week after week, it suggests that enforcement and rehabilitation are not reaching far enough.
Thirdly, and this is the part we rarely admit, our own habits. Every ringgit handed over rewards the syndicates and tells them that their tactics and business model works.
Yet, we must be careful with blame. Not everyone who asks for help is part of a syndicate. Some are genuinely destitute and some may themselves be victims, trapped by debt, fear or lack of documents.
We should never judge or confront individuals based on appearance alone. Unverified accusations can hurt innocent people. The real target must be the network behind the scenes, not the beggars.
How, then, do we stop it? Start with giving smartly. Instead of giving cash to strangers, donate to registered charities, food banks, mosques, temples, churches and welfare bodies that can verify need and provide long-term help. Offering a packet of food is fine but cash directly feeds the syndicate’s income.
Next, report rather than react. If you see a child who appears unwell, drugged, injured or visibly distressed or the same group being dropped off and collected by a vehicle, note the time and place and contact the police (999) or the Welfare Department’s Talian Kasih at 15999. Let trained officers assess who is a victim and who is an exploiter.
Authorities, for their part, should conduct regular joint operations, focus on prosecuting these syndicates and ensure that rescued children and adults receive shelter, medical care and a genuine path to employment or home.
Touristy areas, malls and traffic lights deserve consistent monitoring. Businesses and local councils can help by improving lighting, displaying clear signs on responsible giving and cooperating with the authorities.
Schools and community leaders can teach young people that compassion is most effective when guided by awareness. Kindness is one of Malaysia’s finest traits but when easily manipulated, it can end up harming the very children we seek to protect.
If we redirect our generosity to trusted channels and report suspicious cases, we can starve the syndicates of profit while still caring for those truly in need.
The next time you see a baby on the pavement under the midday sun, remember that the most caring response may not be to open your wallet but to pick up your phone.
Nevhan Phrassantha Naidu Puspakaran is an alumni of the National Defence University of Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com