After the raid, life returns to somewhat normal in KL's Mini Dhaka

KUALA LUMPUR: The shops are open as usual, selling groceries, cellphones, textiles and household supplies. The paan (betel leaf and nut) sellers and other street peddlers are also there.

However, the crowds around the “Mini Dhaka” of KL seemed a little smaller and missing the usual buzz, after last Thursday’s massive police operation that saw more than 1,000 illegals arrested.

The Star visited the area yesterday and found that there seemed to be a decline in the number of foreigners. However, most businesses were unperturbed. They believe the crowds will be back on weekends.

It is estimated that over half of the shops in Jalan Silang, Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, Jalan Petaling and other stretches in the area are manned by foreigners.

Local trader Kamarul Zaman Ahmad, who sells schoolbags and clothes near Jalan Silang, said the raid had little impact on the foreigners.

“It is usually quiet on weekdays,” he said, pointing to the smaller crowd.

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“On weekends, though, they throng this area. They gather for shopping and to meet up with their countrymen but they seldom cause problems,” said the 58-year-old trader who has been operating in the area for the past 20 years.

Kamarul said Malaysians rarely shop in the area. His customers are mostly Bangladeshis, with some Myanmar nationals and Nepalis.

He said the influx of foreigners began in 2015 and blamed it on the “Ali Baba” business mentality of the building owners.

“The shoplots are leased for between RM30,000 and RM40,000 per month while a small cubicle for petty traders can go for up to RM6,000. The foreigners are prepared to pay high rental as they are willing to settle for modest profits. The goods sold here also cater to the foreigners,” he said.

Latifah Sarman, 62, who moved from Johor and has been working at a restaurant on Jalan Silang for the past six years, said the raid had affected the food business.

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“We have seen a 20% decline in customers on weekdays. But the crowd came in on Sunday as usual. We are aware the authorities were just carrying out their duties and we support them. It is good that such checks are conducted regularly.

“There are times when these foreigners misbehave and are drunk,” said Latifah.

Petty trader L. Thiagu, who sells T-shirts and other accessories on a sidewalk, said that while the foreigners did not disturb the handful of local petty traders there, they could be rude and obnoxious at times.

“How can foreigners operate so many businesses here when they are not allowed to? They come here to be employed in various sectors but run businesses instead,” said the 26-year-old.

Another trader, who declined to be named, said the foreigners often hire a local, usually an elderly person, to “sit around” their store and pay them between RM30 and RM50 per day.

These people then hoodwink authorities by claiming the business are run by Malaysians, with the foreigners as their employees.