KUALA LUMPUR: A beggar who drives a sport utility vehicle will no longer receive an allowance from the Welfare Department, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the man was asked to make a formal pledge not to beg any more, and his RM450 person-with-disability monthly allowance was terminated.
"The individual is employed as a shift supervisor at a bus company with an estimated monthly income of RM2,000.
"He cannot receive assistance from the Welfare Department any longer," she said.
Media reports on the man were published last month.
Noraini was responding to a supplementary question from Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat).
She also said the ministry is reviewing the Destitute Persons Act 1977 to improve the handling of issues related to poverty and homelessness.
She said the study is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
"The study is to identify provisions and conduct comparative studies on laws related to homelessness, begging and urban poverty in other countries."
It would determine whether a new law is needed to tackle the issues, she added.