SHAH ALAM: A total of 242 foreigners were detained for various violations following an integrated operation by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and the Selangor Immigration Department on Tuesday (July 22).
The operation, conducted at Pusat Komersial Dataran Otomobil in Section 15, involved inspecting 89 premises on Jalan Pahat H and Jalan Pahat J.
A total of five premises were ordered to shut down and have been given 14 days to take corrective action by MBSA.
Shah Alam mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim, who was present during the operation, said actions were taken against the businesses for violating licensing requirements, being operated by foreigners, selling live animals, and not having valid business licences.
"Some foreign workers were also found to be working in sectors they weren't supposed to be working in.
"For example, some with permits to work in premises offering cleaning services were found to be employed in grocery stores," he said during a press conference after the operation.
He also said some local business licence holders were found to have rented out their licences to foreigners.
"The licences of those found to have engaged in such practices would be revoked immediately.
"They will also be blacklisted and barred from applying for new licences.
"I wish to emphasise that business licences approved by the council are solely for the applicants themselves," he said.
Mohd Fauzi added that MBSA would continue to carry out such operations to ensure the city was free of illegal businesses.
Also present was Selangor Immigration Department deputy director (control) Mohmad Khusairi Kamarudin, who said the department would conduct further investigations into the detainees.
"After the investigations are completed, their cases will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor for further action," he said.
