JOHOR BARU: Beggars can't be choosers, but one was so well-off he offered a RM200 bribe yesterday to a welfare officer to let him go.

Johor Baru Welfare Department officer Manayi Ibrahim said the Chinese national tried to bribe one of the officers during an operation to round up beggars who ply their trade around the underpass near the Causeway.

Two Chinese nationals and two local men were held.

The 46-year-old man tried to bribe the officer when told to get inside the department van.

"The officer was taken aback by his audacity," said Manayi.

The man, whose left leg was amputated at the thigh, had RM174 and an undetermined amount in foreign currency.

The other Chinese beggar, also an amputee, refused to speak but his companion said they were living in a nearby hotel.

"They stay in hotels, communicate using Nokia mobile phones and earn hundreds of ringgit a day by begging," said Manayi.

"We caught them around 11am yet they had already collected hundreds of ringgit.

"Those who gave them money probably earn less than they do."

The operation involved nine welfare officers and was the third this week.

The department will continue its checks in the city as the number of beggars is expected to rise before and during the fasting month.-NST