KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry will look into concerns that foreigners are illegally operating businesses nationwide.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry was aware of such illegal foreign-run businesses and that he would work with other relevant authorities to resolve this.
“I can confirm that... the issue... remains on our radar.
“It is not just under the purview of the Home Ministry but also local governments and agencies.
“As such, it will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders involved,” he said in his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 7).
Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) had asked about the government’s plans to deal with the presence of Chinese nationals running businesses in his constituency.
On Wednesday (Nov 6), Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced plans to set up a task force specifically to deal with the potential threat illegal foreign-run businesses pose to local firms.
Tiong, who plans to lead the task force, said it would also tackle the issue of locals renting business licences to Chinese nationals who continue to stay in Malaysia by abusing the visa system.
Saifuddin also addressed concerns that over a million Chinese nationals who had overstayed could try to obtain citizenship.
He said such claims were unfounded, with only 103 Chinese nationals given citizenship since 2013 as they had married Malaysians.
