Kuala Lumpur: Traders and hawkers have called on the relevant law enforcement bodies in the country to study the root cause of the problem that has resulted in the misuse of business licences and to take proactive action against those involved especially in leasing the licences to foreigners.
The call came following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Thursday, that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will revoke the licences which have been given out to other parties, including foreigners.
Most hawkers and traders support the Government’s commitment to solve the problem, but they want the relevant enforcement bodies, especially the local authorities (PBT) in the respective states and to investigate if there are elements of corruption and misconduct in the process of granting business licenses as well as renting out hawker sites to foreigners.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association President Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said the local authorities need to ensure transparency in granting licences and look into the root causes of the problem.
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“These traders who hold several licenses only operate in some places while the remaining licences are sold to foreign traders,” he said, adding that proactive measures must be taken to address the matter to safeguard the welfare of the people, especially local traders.
In Kelantan, Kedai Melor Traders Community chairman Nik Pa Nik Hassan urged that the local authorities re-examine the business premises ownership in the state with the growing number of foreign ownership over the past few years.
He added that these foreign business premises were also using the licences of locals to operate after the building premises were sold to foreigners.
“For example, there are over 10 foreign-owned business premises from Pasir Tumboh, Kota Bharu up to Selising, Pasir Puteh. Most of the foreigners are married to single mothers who are in their late 50s just to use their wife’s name to register their business, “ he said.
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