“It’s good that Sabah already has its laws, policy and enforcement agencies, but this issue has yet to be resolved. In fact, it has become rampant,” he said in the state assembly today.

Yong, who is a nominated assemblyman, said the problem, which had been prevalent in the east coast districts, had now spread to the state capital.

He suggested seeking advice from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), which has an office in Kuala Lumpur and has experience in managing the issue globally.

While the state’s policy is to track down the parents, Yong said, the problem persisted because, in certain cases, the mothers were also begging on the streets, especially in Lahad Datu.

In reply, assistant community development and people’s wellbeing minister Flovia Ng said the state had carried out child-beggar rescue operations regularly.

They involved local authorities working with the immigration department, the national registration department and the police.

The state would track down the parents or guardians, and issue warnings before returning the children to them.

“However, if the parents, guardians or next of kin can’t be located, the children will be placed in welfare homes.

“Stateless children will be referred to the immigration department for further action,” she said.

Ng urged the public to contact the 15999 Careline to report child beggars to the welfare department.