KOTA KINABALU: Sabah should consider consulting the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help tackle the ongoing issues related to stateless children and street kids in major towns across the state.

       Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (SAPP-nominated) said that UNICEF has experience in dealing with issues related to stateless children and street kids.

       He said measures taken over the years have not found the desired results as street kids and begging remain a problem.

       Yong said this after state Community Development and People's Well-Being assistant minister Flovia Ng explained the various measures taken by the state government to address the issue of street kids in Sabah.

       She had told the House that the state government is enforcing the Destitute Persons Act 1977 and Child Protection Act 2001 against beggars found around various towns in the state.

       She said that child beggar rescue operations were carried out through joint operations by the Welfare Department with local authorities, Immigration Department, National Registration Department, police, hospitals and other related agencies.

       Ng added that if the children were Malaysian, their guardians would be traced and returned with a warning and advice.

       However, if the parents or guardians could not be traced, then they will be housed at a Children's Home while non-citizens would be referred to the Immigration Department for further action.

       She said that the public can call the 15999 Love Line careline to report begging activities taking place in their respective areas.