KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has stressed that local authorities do not recognise or permit foreign nationals to operate as hawkers or small traders.
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu (pic) stated that under the Hawkers By-laws, foreign nationals are also banned from serving as workers or assistants under hawker licences at premises managed by local authorities.
"Local authorities have never allowed foreigners to apply for or hold licences for hawkers, small traders, business premises, grocery shops, eateries, car workshops, or market stalls, in line with the Hawkers By-laws and Trades, Businesses and Industries By-laws.
"This is because the rental rates set by local authorities are below market value and are intended to provide business opportunities for locals," she said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara on Monday (Dec 2).
She was responding to a question by Senator Datuk Setia Salehuddin regarding measures to address the issue of foreign traders setting up makeshift stalls along roadsides and in night markets.
Aiman Athirah explained that under the Trades, Businesses and Industries By-laws, business licences are only issued to Malaysian citizens, and they may employ foreigners as workers or assistants, provided they hold valid work passes or trade permits.
"Local authorities will not tolerate violations of licensing conditions by any business or licensee, and stern actions such as confiscation, fines, closure of premises, and licence cancellations would be taken," she added.
At the same time, she noted that state governments also play a role in tightening requirements for new licence applications and renewals to prevent foreign nationals from operating businesses.
Since 2022, local authorities have conducted 2,031 enforcement operations against business premises, revoking 26,108 licences for breaches, including transferring licences or permits to foreign nationals.
Additionally, Aiman Athirah mentioned that local authorities have introduced multiple complaint channels, including hotlines and the e-Aduan system accessible via local authority portals and the PBTCare mobile app.
PBTCare, developed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry through the Local Government Department, allows users to lodge complaints with photos and real-time locations and receive feedback from authorities, she said. - Bernama
