FRUIT and vegetable traders around the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market are complaining that foreigners are back again, after laying low for several months following raids and strict enforcement by the authorities.

Traders told the Malaysian Insight there are more than 100 illegal traders who are selling various produce in the vicinity of the market.

The traders alleged the foreigners are no longer setting up makeshift stalls but are operating out of shoplots and going around with trolleys to sell their produce.

Pusat Bandar Utama Traders Association chairman Chu Kok Ming said despite action by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the foreigners are still around.

“Some are renting shoplots from locals and operating out of these premises,” Chu said.

“Those without premises use trolleys to cart their goods in search of customers.”

He said they usually operate from 6am to about 1pm daily.

“They have come back again since the recovery movement-control order was enforced.”

He said the foreigners get their produce from wholesalers and sell them about 20% to 30% cheaper.

“Because of them (foreigners) our business has dropped by 50%,” Chu said.

“The reason some of the wholesalers also sell to them is because they need to earn a living. We cannot stop them. But our members will not sell to them.

“They (foreigners) are undercutting us. They can sell the items cheap because they don’t have overhead costs, such as rental and staff wages to pay.”

He said they have about 80 members who are mainly selling fruits and vegetables, adding that most of their customers are night market and wet market traders.

Chu said they have already aired their grouses to City Hall and Batu MP P. Prabakaran.

“Our committee will be meeting in early November and we will see what we can do to address this issue. We are taxpayers, so the government must help us.”

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mahadi Che Ngah said there was no denying the problem still persists, as foreigners remain in the area.

He said this is despite enforcement by City Hall and the Immigration Department.

“City Hall is constantly taking enforcement action against foreigners selling various goods around Kuala Lumpur, including the fruit and vegetable business around the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market.

“It is a joint effort to eradicate and restrict these unlicensed business activities.

“We also urge city folks not to buy goods from these foreign traders.”

A check by The Malaysian Insight also found hundreds of foreigners working around the wholesale market.

City Hall vehicles were also spotted patrolling the area.

Fruit vendor Khiew Yon Chin said they have raised the issue many times, but the foreigners still keep coming back.

“They are mainly from Myanmar and Bangladesh, and sell mostly fruits and vegetables.”

He said some of them have passports and are United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card holders, but they use locals to rent premises for them to operate.

“Our rental is RM14,000. Then we have to pay Socso (Social Security Organisation) and EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund) benefits, as well as employee wages.

“These foreigners used to work for us. They know who the suppliers are, so they just buy from the same suppliers.”

Another local fruit vendor Jimmy Ng claimed the foreigners are stealing their business.

“As soon as the customers come near our area they are waiting with their trolleys.

“They are stealing our customers. When the customers get out of their car, they immediately approach them and sell whatever they have at a cheaper price.

“My business has also dropped about 40% to 50%,” he added. – October 27, 2020.