85% of KL businesses rely on foreign workers

The Masjid Jamek bazaar is a popular shopping destination for Indonesian visitors and tourists.

IF Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) goes ahead with its plan to prohibit foreign workers from helping to man stalls in Kuala Lumpur, the move will disrupt many businesses and affect the city’s economy, warned an economist.

Malaysia University of Science and Technology school of business dean, Dr Yeah Kim Leng said: “Yes, it can be disruptive if the business traders are not given enough time to prepare themselves for the change (of not using low-skilled foreign workers).’’