PROFESSIONAL BEGGAR?

I saw this man begging for money outside the Kampung Simee market in Ipoh on Sunday morning. His body was twisted with a hunch at the back. He appeared to have problems even standing upright because of his deformity.

Many of the people who went to the market took pity on him and gave him money. I am wondering how he managed to get to the market in the first place and if he is a Malaysian citizen. There are stories about beggars from Third World countries coming here to beg for a living and some of them can earn quite a lot by milking the kindness of the local folks.

During Siddharta Gautama's time, he must have seen a lot of such unfortunate people when he ventured out of the palace. I guess the sight of all the suffering pushed him to become the Buddha or the enlightened one.

So I do hope that the relevant authorities from the Ipoh City Council would take it upon themselves to do something about the beggars on the streets. I am sure they could be housed in the welfare homes. That is if these people are not professional beggars.