MBPJ temporarily suspends enforcement at some schemes ahead of new permit system
ENFORCEMENT against unlicensed traders at selected strata developments will be temporarily suspended as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) introduces a new permit system to regulate their activities.
MBPJ is the first local authority in Malaysia to launch guidelines for temporary hawker permits within the common areas of residential high-rises and strata schemes.
The city council recorded 130 unlicensed trading operations across such sites last year.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the guidelines would first be tested across two or three pilot locations − which have yet to be identified − before being refined for wider implementation.
He said priority would be given to developments where formal applications or complaints indicate an immediate need for regulated trading.
The mayor said this during the launch of MBPJ’s guidelines for temporary hawker permit applications within landed-perimeter strata developments at MBPJ’s Civic Hall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
He said enforcement would be deferred to allow traders and management bodies time to understand the procedures.
However, trading cannot begin without the explicit approval of the individual property’s management bodies.
“Trading activities must first receive the approval of property owners through a special resolution at an annual general meeting or extraordinary general meeting,” said Mohamad Zahri.
“Once approved, the conditions will become additional by-laws covering site layout, rental rates, agreement periods, permitted businesses, monitoring and enforcement.”
Under the new framework, management bodies must submit proposed trading spots to MBPJ for technical assessments focusing on safety, cleanliness, waste disposal, emergency access, and disturbance control.
Traders can apply through MBPJ’s e-Lesen system after securing written approval and signing a tenancy agreement with the management body.
Temporary permit charges are expected to range between RM90 and RM150 a month, depending on the nature and duration of the business.
The guidelines permit the temporary sale of food, drinks, and seasonal fruits on common property without permanent structures.
Stalls are restricted to a maximum space of 3.04m by 3.04m and must operate primarily on a takeaway basis.
Traders must also dismantle and store their stalls outside business hours.
Mohamad Zahri said the initiative was prompted by inspections uncovering disorganised stalls encroaching on carparks and shared walkways, along with hygiene concerns.
Selangor housing and culture committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah praised the initiative, stating that MBPJ’s model could eventually standardise guidelines across other densely populated jurisdictions in the state, such as the Ampang Jaya, Selayang, and Kajang municipalities.
“If this can be implemented successfully, it will be a good example for other local authorities,” Borhan added.
