GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will impose stiffer enforcement action on shops and foreign traders found to be flouting its regulations.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the council had previously taken action against the premises concerned, including sealing them for two weeks.
"We have taken enforcement action a few times against these shops and even sealed the premises.
"The operation stops for some time but starts again because of demand. It is more obvious during weekends when foreign workers are on leave and come in large numbers," he said on Tuesday (Sept 1).
Rajendran said MBPP had been monitoring the premises involved for several weeks, gathering evidence to take further action.
"This time the action will be stiff," he added.
Two TikTok posts by NGO Team Surplus Pulau Pinang and Team Surplus KL/Selangor had alleged that foreigners were openly flouting regulations and questioned MBPP’s enforcement efforts.
One post claimed that the NGO conducted an operation targeting foreigners along Jalan Macalister here ahead of National Day.
Another post, captioned "Komtar bukan zon kebal undang-undang" (Komtar is not a zone immune to the law), alleged that foreigners were openly violating regulations in front of Komtar and questioned the consistency of enforcement action.
The posts called for greater transparency, consistency and immediate action from the local authority to ensure laws are upheld without discrimination and to restore public confidence in enforcement institutions.
Among the allegations were that foreigners were allowed to trade without signboards and slaughter chickens at the premises.
@abeoabey TEAM SURPLUS PULAU PINANG & KL/SELANGOR BERGABUNG TERJAH WARGA ASING DI AMBANG MERDEKA @ JALAN MACALISTER, GEORGETOWN. #kemerdekaanmalaysia #rakyatbangkit #rakyatbersuara #merdeka #penang Shadows of Suspense - Adauto Assis
