CITY Hall (DBKL) has cracked down on 597 unlicensed foreign traders in the capital this year,

DBKL Licensing and Business Development Department director Khairul Anuar Mhd Juri said 495 business premises were sealed in Bukit Bintang and Batu Parliamentary areas, where the traders were concentrated

‘’This was followed by Wangsa Maju Parliament (28), Titiwangsa (17), Setiawangsa (13), Cheras (13), Kepong (10), Lembah Pantai (seven), Bandar Tun Razak (six), Segambut (five) and Seputeh (three),” he said at a media conference, in Kuala Lumpur, today.

‘’It is not an easy matter to eradicate it fully but it (enforcement action) must be continued from time to time,’’ he said.

On the issuances of permits, Khairul Anuar there are two categories, one of which was for business premises regulated under the Trade, Business and Industry Licensing 2016 and Food Placement Licensing  2016 by-laws.

‘’The first category is open and the permit can be given to anyone, including foreign nationals, and most of them only used companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

‘’However, since July, foreigners may no longer run businesses, not even jointly with locals, such as sundry shops, supermarkets smaller than 3,000sq m, 24-hour convenience stores and in the wet markets, he said.

The second category is for hawkers and markets, which are governed by the Wholesale Markets 2002, Market 2016 and Market Licensing 2016 by-laws.

Only licensed businesses under local by-laws are allowed to hire foreign workers with valid work permits, subject to the Immigration Department’s conditions.

‘’The Market 2016 by-law does not allow the hiring of foreign nationals as assistants in general markets or foreign nationals without work permits to work at privately-owned markets,’’ he added. – Bernama, September 3, 2020.