UNDOCUMENTED foreigners formerly employed at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market are using Malaysians as proxies to apply for business licences, said traders’ associations.

They said this has been happening since a freeze on migrant workers was announced amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insight reported that foreign workers at the market found themselves unemployed overnight after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforced the freeze.

Locals have taken over between 80% and 90% of these vacancies, and hundreds of Myanmar refugees, most of them holders of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card, are left without an income.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers’ Association president Wong Keng Fatt told The Malaysian Insight that foreigners pay locals RM3,000 to RM4,000 to apply for a business licence.

“All they need to do is sit there and provide their identity card to apply for a licence.”

With licence in hand, the foreigners set up stalls in the wholesale market’s surrounding areas, including its parking lot.

“These foreign traders are working in a grey area, leaving DBKL helpless,” said Wong, adding that it is easier to get customers outside the market.

“Some of the foreigners know customers’ needs, and offer cheaper prices to attract them.”

Kuala Lumpur Fruit Wholesalers’ Association president Chin Nyuk Moi agreed, saying: “They have many stalls at the market’s entrance and exit, and their business is very good as they know how to attract customers.”

She said they sell vegetables, fruits, fish and other produce, competing with local vendors.

She hopes the authorities will act against these foreigners, as otherwise, local operators’ business will go from bad to worse.

Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa had said DBKL was ordered to act against foreign traders operating illegally near the market.

He urged Kuala Lumpur Mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan to ensure consistent enforcement operations in the area.

“Don’t do it just once and then stop. It must be consistent.”

DBKL has seized 200 makeshift stalls outside the market, he added. – August 12, 2020.