A Malaysian woman has raised concerns after encountering a group of women and children allegedly begging between vehicles at a busy traffic light in Ampang.
In a Threads post, the user said the incident happened near KPJ Ampang Puteri, across from The Chancery development.
Children allegedly approached cars
According to her, a group of Rohingya women and children began moving between vehicles as soon as traffic came to a stop.
She claimed that some of the children approached cars and asked drivers for money.
However, what upset her most was how the group allegedly continued walking between vehicles even after the traffic light had turned green, potentially putting both themselves and motorists at risk.
Woman allegedly showed middle finger
The poster said she was taking photos when one of the women allegedly pointed her middle finger at her.
She believed it happened because she did not give them any money.
“Honestly, what am I supposed to make of that?” she wrote.
While acknowledging that some people genuinely need assistance, the poster questioned whether it was safe or appropriate for children to be involved in roadside begging.
She also wondered whether the activity could be organised, particularly as children were allegedly brought along to approach motorists.
Other users claim it has happened for years
Several users in the comments claimed that similar activity has taken place around Ampang Point for years.
One commenter alleged that groups previously roamed around Ampang Point before settling beneath a nearby flyover.
Another claimed to have seen the same group gathering under a bridge the previous week, with children sitting together nearby.
Some commenters suspected the children were being used to gain sympathy from motorists. However, these claims could not be independently verified.
The original poster later claimed that the group consisted of around 50 people and was spread across several areas.
She stressed that Malaysians are generally willing to help those in need, but said compassion should not come at the expense of road safety or involve children being placed in potentially dangerous situations.
‘She showed me her middle finger and hit my car window’
Speaking to WeirdKaya, the OP explained that the group was initially sitting by the roadside before dispersing when the traffic light turned red.
As she photographed the scene, one of the women approached her vehicle and continued asking for money.
When she saw that I was not going to give her money, she showed me her middle finger and hit my car window with her hand,” the OP claimed.
She clarified that the woman did not hit the window aggressively and subsequently moved towards the next vehicle.
The OP said the incident left her concerned about motorists allegedly being harassed for refusing to give money. She questioned which authority was responsible for managing such cases and whether enough was being done to investigate possible organised begging.
She also shared another alleged encounter involving Rohingya beggars in Setapak, an area she travels through daily.
According to her, she had seen individuals appear to walk with a limp while begging, only to walk normally when leaving the area later in the day.
She further claimed that she had seen some of them leaving food packaging by the roadside and spitting in public. On other occasions, she allegedly saw the same individuals dressed differently and walking without a limp while heading to a nearby mosque for Friday prayers.
Allegedly passed between different authorities
The OP claimed she had previously contacted DBKL and MPAJ about the issue but was told to approach the Social Welfare Department as it was considered a welfare matter.
However, she said the department directed her to Immigration as the individuals were not Malaysians.
When she contacted Immigration, she was allegedly referred back to the Social Welfare Department.
The OP said this left her frustrated and uncertain about which authority was responsible for handling such cases.
She called for clearer guidelines and better coordination among the relevant agencies, adding that members of the public should know where to report alleged begging, harassment and road safety concerns.
