From left: Salmah Mohd Ali, Michael Lawrence De Silva and his brother Charles. On the right is a customer buying tissue paper from Salmah Mohd Ali.
NST: Saturday August 11 2007 by K. Harinderen and Adeline Lau.
To summarize: Malaysia TRULY Asia.
Four blind persons selling tissue paper were arrested by the police, City Hall and the Immigration Department.
It was of course part of the City Hall's, Immigration Department's and PDRM's effort to rid the city of beggars. ( Beggars? What? In Malaysia? We cannot allow tourists to know that we do have beggars! )
According to one of them, Salmah Mohd Ali, 46, she was seated in front of the 7-Eleven outlet in Bagsar Baru when she was asked by two policemen to follow them to the police station without giving any reason.
The police were acting on a complaint from the Bangsar Baru Resident's Association on the problem of beggars in the area. ( Welcome to Malaysia where everyone is friendly and helpful )
Razak Hashim,55, was arrested by police in front of the McDonald's restaurant in Bangsar Baru.
Both of them have been 'working' in the same area for more than 12 years. ( It took our men in blue to act on this after 12 years )
Salmah who is from Kuala Lipis, is afraid to leave her home now as she fears being arrested again. ( Salmah is not alone in her fear of the police force )
"I sell tissue paper, I do not beg," said Salmah.
Salmah was taken away by a police van that night and in the vehicle, she met two other blind persons, Abu Zarif Maarof and Azhar Omar, whom she knew. They told her that they too were areested for the same offence - selling Tissue paper.
Salmah was detained overnight in a temporary cell at the Travers police station while the others were held at the Brickfields police station. They will be accused of begging. ( Viva la NEP )
1. The big question: Is selling tissue paper by the blind to earn a living an offence under the Destitute Persons Act? No one involved seemed to have an answer.
2. The bigger question: Why on earth would innocent blind people be arrested for selling tissue papers? PDRM could have shown its gentle side as the Act is still being scrutinized as to what it actually means. I do hope they come up with a proper and humane interpretation.
3. Why are the helpless blind people targets of the police force? They are trying to earn a living for God's sake.
Turn your attention to the real criminals.
According to the paper, it said, it's up to the their ( police ) discretion whether to arrest a blind person for selling tissue papers.
"the police will investigate such cases as there are beggars who disguise their activities by selling tissue paper."
4. Strange but from what I know, the NEP is after all, meant for the welfare of the Malays, right?
"The act is not clear on the matter," said Welfare Department elderly and family division director Nik Omar Nik Ab Rahman. ( The act is not clear on the matter or the matter is not clear on the act?" )
He also said that there was some confusion over selling tissues could be considered begging.
However he was uncertain about this. ( and he is the Director )
"Discussions are still going to resolve this matter."
So, no one seems to know about the Act but some were quick to act. I always considered Malaysians a compassionate lot. That includes PDRM.
To arrest innocent blind people for an act that they are not sure about is regrettable. Blatant criminal acts are being committed on the streets and these criminals seem to get away with it.
What next?
Investigate and interrogate the people in the welfare homes?
Or perhaps the next target will be pensioners? Pensioners know quite a bit and might spill the beans. Pensioners from all government sectors. We have to protect our Vision 2020 at all cost.
Que sera sera.
MERDEKA
anon
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