PETALING JAYA: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will review its procedures and investigate the scuffle between its enforcement officers and a balloon seller on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, as seen in a viral video.
In a statement, DBKL said the officers involved have also lodged a police report regarding the incident.
The balloon vendor refused to comply with instructions and continued to do business as usual despite being warned twice, DBKL claimed on Friday.
“After the third warning, the balloon vendor acted aggressively and pushed the enforcement officer who was on duty.
“In order to prevent the situation from escalating, the plainclothes enforcement officer tried to separate the seller from the other officers.
“The situation became further tense when several other hawkers tried to intervene, but other officers brought it under control. No injuries were recorded in the incident.
“Strict action will be taken against any party conducting a business without a valid licence and for disturbing public order,” DBKL said yesterday.
The city council will also improve its standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure that similar undesirable incidents can be avoided.
It said its enforcement actions are carried out without any fear or favour but based on established regulations.
In the video, believed to have been recorded by another trader in the area, several DBKL officers are seen seizing balloons being sold by an individual.
The commotion began when the trader involved was seen being uncooperative and obstructing the DBKL officers. Other traders also intervened.
The incident has drawn flak from leaders across the political divide who slammed DBKL for being overzealous.
Meanwhile, Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman confirmed that DBKL lodged a report on the incident.
“The case has been classified under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant from discharging their duties.
“The police will conduct a fair and thorough investigation according to the law. Action will be taken against any parties deemed to have committed offences,” he said.
The latest incident follows similar tense exchanges between traders and local authorities over business licences.
On the same day DBKL officers took action against the balloon seller, another group of personnel got into a heated argument with an individual selling bottled water at Dataran Merdeka.
On March 21, a video went viral of a petai seller scuffling with the Port Dickson Municipal Council officers.
Many netizens have criticised local council enforcement officers for being tough on small local traders while ignoring foreigners running illegal businesses.
