Malaysian police rescue 17 Jordanian children from lucrative KL begging syndicate

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — A Malaysian police operation, dubbed Op Pintas Kasih, has dismantled a suspected foreign child trafficking syndicate operating in the city’s bustling commercial districts. The coordinated crackdown, launched on Aug 19, rescued 17 Jordanian minors, aged between three months and 14 years, from a lucrative begging racket.

The operation targeted a network primarily operating along the five-foot ways of Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit. Thirty-two Jordanian passports, 14 mobile phones, four strollers, and over RM25,000 in cash were seized during 13 simultaneous raids, including seven on public walkways and six at residential premises. Seven suspects, comprising seven men and eight women aged between 21 and 49, were apprehended.

Police suspect the syndicate was run by Jordanian nationals who entered Malaysia legally on 90-day social visit passes. The operation, led by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department, aims to eradicate networks exploiting children and vulnerable groups.