THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had taken enforcement action against more than 1,500 foreign traders and workers at the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market (PBKL) between March and December, 2020, through a “whitening” programme. 

Its licensing and business development department director Khairul Anuar Mhd Juri said the move is in line with conditions set under the Wholesale Market By-Laws (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 2002. 

“DBKL has worked hard to ensure that foreign nationals no longer work at PBKL. Perhaps there are still individuals secretly hiring foreigners, but if there are, we will arrest and issue the licence holders with a show cause letter, and in come cases, have their licences cancelled,” he said at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 

Also present was Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mahadi Che Ngah.

Khairul said the action against foreign traders and workers has opened up business and employment opportunities for locals affected by the Covid-19 pandemic or who lost their jobs after it hit. 

“To attract locals to work at PBKL, various facilities have been provided, including hostels and contributions made to the Employees Provident Fund,” said Khairul, adding that complaints on the matter are fewer now following stern enforcement by DBKL. 

Mahadi said the new norms have resulted in the formation of the PBKL New Norm Economy Generating Task Force, the “whitening” of the wholesale market of foreign workers, and action against employers involved in human trafficking.

“This task force has managed to educate wholesalers to adhere to the conditions of their licences and carry out their responsibilities well as this will indirectly open up opportunities and space for city dwellers who have lost their incomes or have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The various efforts taken have also reduced instances of crime such as vandalism and robbery, besides improving PBKL’s surroundings,” he added. 

Mahadi said DBKL has improved on the management of PBKL and its infrastructure, introduced wholesaler and worker passes, and installed closed-circuit television cameras during the implementation of the new norm at the market. – Bernama, June 22, 2022.