BANGLADESHI and Rohingya traders at Kuala Lumpur wholesale market have reportedly warned their local counterparts of complaining to the authorities.

An anonymous local trader said the threats – including to the chairman of the Kuala Lumpur wholesale association – have been going on for some time.

He said a police report had also been made against foreign traders, but no action was taken by the authorities.

“They are so bold and seemingly untouchable that they can threaten local traders not to file a complaint against them.

“They became angry when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) prohibited foreigners from working and doing business in the market,” said the trader, who has been doing business in the market for 10 years.

He said some local traders still use foreign workers but the number has dropped since the movement-control order.

“There are at least 50 foreign workers in the market now.

“Our main problem is the competition with foreign traders outside the market, causing our business to suffer,” he said.

Trader R. Subramaniam, 60, said most foreign traders outside the wholesale market sell vegetables at cheaper prices than locals.

“They have taken away the majority of our customers because they not only sell more households but also to wholesale and retail,” Subramaniam, who has been at the market for 25 years, said.

“There should be a ban on foreign workers that should be strictly enforced. In the wholesale market itself, there are local traders who rent out space to Rohingya.

“How are we going to do business when invulnerable foreign traders rob us of our customers?” he asked.

Subramaniam said complaints have been filed with the authorities many times but any raid is leaked first, allowing the perpetrators to get away.

“They seem to be protected from enforcement when operational information is leaked in advance and their shops will be closed on the day of the incident.

“There have even been DBKL officers surrounded by this group during operations. They are not afraid of the authorities,” he said.

Another trader who wanted to remain anonymous said the area in question was protected by Bangladeshi “gangsters” and protection money was paid to enforcement officers.

“When foreign traders face problems such as being detained by the authorities, it is usually the gangster who will negotiate with the officers.

“As such, foreign traders outside the wholesale market are not afraid to threaten or fight with local traders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association president Wong Keng Fatt said foreign traders are no longer allowed in the wholesale market or the carpark.

“Most of them do business at the exit intersection and shophouse buildings around the market.

“We always warn traders not to employ foreign workers. If detected by DBKL, their business licence can be revoked,” he said.

He said in the wholesale market there are 216 vegetable traders, 64 fruit traders and 168 fish traders.

“The association also conducts inspections at shop lots periodically to ensure that no foreigners are working or doing business,” he said. – April 20, 2023.