AN investigation will be made into claims that lots in a Portuguese food court are being sublet to third parties, said Malacca mayor Mansor Sudin.

Mansor told The Malaysian Insight he had received complaints about the matter last year.

He said the licences of operators involved will be revoked if they are found to have sold or subleased their businesses to those from outside the Portuguese settlement.

“We will investigate this matter properly. If there is any truth to the claims, then the Malacca Historic City Council (MBMB) will terminate its contract with the tenant,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

In December, residents of the Portuguese settlement had complained that outsiders are taking advantage of loopholes in the system to rent premises in the food court in Ujong Pasir, built by MBMB.

They said such an “invasion” is a threat to their culture and tradition.

Mansor said it is hard to weed out such errant practices as such subletting or sales agreements took place “behind the scenes”.

“It is difficult for MBMB. We cannot find any proof to say the original operators have sublet or sold their businesses. The deals take place without our knowledge.

“When we visited the place and questioned them, the new operators said they’re just working at the restaurant. We couldn’t do anything. We need to get concrete evidence,” he said.

The Malaysian Insight found at least four lots in the food court occupied by non-Portuguese operators.

Kg Portugis Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman Jacinta Lazaroo and the settlement’s regedor, or headman, Peter Thomas Gomes, said the Portuguese operators are doing the community a disservice by handing over their lots to outsiders.

These deals affect legitimate Malaysian-Portuguese businesses, he said, and will slowly destroy the community’s heritage.

Mansor said council records show the lots in the food court have been distributed among those of Portuguese descent.

“The lots are given to them to do business and not for them to sublet or sell.

“To sublet or sell is clearly wrong,” he said, adding that those who aren’t able to continue their business should return the lots to the council so it can be leased to others in the Portuguese community. – January 12, 2020.