KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department detained 10 foreigners for begging at Masjid Saidina Abu Bakar, Jalan Ara, Bangsar, in an operation yesterday.
Its director general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said thirteen individuals were screened during the operation at 12.15pm, leading to the detention of 10 foreign nationals, aged between 2 and 41 years, for various offences.
"The detained individuals included two male and one female Indonesians, as well as one male and two female Myanmar nationals.
"Additionally, two male and two female children from Myanmar were also taken into custody.
"Three individuals were released as they were identified as local citizens," he said in a statement.
Ruslin said the operation was prompted by public complaints regarding the prevalence of foreign street beggars in the area.
He said the foreigners were detained under reasonable suspicion of violating the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
"The detainees were held under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155) and placed at the Semenyih Immigration Depot for further investigation and necessary actions."