A TOTAL of 702 out of 1,280 seizure actions recorded by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) last year involved foreigners, with the group accounting for the highest number of cases.
Of the number, 507 involved the seizure of business premises owned or operated by foreigners, while the remaining 195 involved seizures from foreign hawkers.
“Among their offences are operating a business without a licence, causing obstruction in public places, erecting premises or structures without permission and misusing licences or violating licensing conditions set by the local authority.
“For offences related to the misuse of licences or violation of licence conditions, the Licensing Department will issue a notice of intention to revoke the licence to the owners involved.
“Licence holders are then given a seven-day period to submit an appeal or feedback before further action is taken,” the city council told Bernama.
MBDK added that the statistics reflected its ongoing commitment to strengthening enforcement against foreign-owned premises and hawkers to ensure compliance with laws and licensing conditions in its area.
On Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ordered various ministries and agencies to take firm and comprehensive action to curb illegal business activities carried out by foreigners, as well as the abuse of visas and local business licences.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said strict action must be taken by local authorities against foreigners alleged to have abused tourist or student visas to run businesses in the country.
He claimed that the presence of foreign traders from various countries − including Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, India and Indonesia as well as from the Rohingya community − was increasingly dominating several business hotspots, such as Pudu Market and Selayang Market in the Klang Valley.
He said the situation not only affected the income of local traders but contributed to the lack of a level playing field.
