Resubmit documents, DBKL tells businesses in Salak South New Village

There are more than 100 SMEs in the village operating various businesses from their residential lots and they have been doing so for decades. - LOW LAY PHON/The Star.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Salak South New Village operating from residential lots without licence have been asked to resubmit fresh applications through their association to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

However, the move is only to get them temporary licences so that the SMEs can continue their business to earn a living, according to Federal Territories MCA DBKL Affairs Bureau chief Banie Chin.

“We met with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah recently and after listening to us about their plight, he agreed in principle to issue temporary licences to the SMEs, provided they put in applications again, which DBKL will vet one by one.

“We appreciate the mayor’s efforts to help the SMEs, especially since there is much concern about the safety hazards from operating businesses on residential lots.

“On my part, I will make sure that SMEs comply with any requirement that will allow them operate legally,’’ said Chin.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, who was also present at the meeting with the mayor, said DBKL must at least issue temporary licences so that the businesses could apply to the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) to resume their operations.

“They must do it on humanitarian grounds, if not workers at these SMEs would be jobless and unable to make monthly loan payments to the banks,’’ he added.

On Oct 11, StarMetro reported that SMEs in Salak South New Village were in dire straits as they were unable to get Miti approval to operate and were at the mercy of enforcement officers from various government agencies.

There are more than 100 SMEs in the village that were involved in trades such as carpentry, painting, spray painting, iron work and car repairs, as well as operating eateries.

The businesses have been around for decades.

Meanwhile, Small and Medium Enterprises Salak South New Village Association chairman Cheng Kow said he would get all the SMEs operating on residential lots to resubmit the necessary documentation.

The association will then submit the applications to DBKL.

“We hope that we will get the required permits after this and be able to start work again because our survival depends on our work here,’’ he added.