A man has drawn criticism online after a video showed him confronting a foreign worker inside a grocery store over claims that foreigners are not allowed to operate such businesses in Malaysia.
The incident, which was shared on X, quickly gained attention on social media, with many netizens criticising the man’s aggressive behaviour during the confrontation.
‘You cannot open shop here!’
In the video, the man entered the grocery store while recording the situation on his phone before questioning the worker about his role at the premises.
During the confrontation, the man repeatedly claimed that “Pakistanis cannot open shops and do business in Malaysia” and raised his voice while speaking to the worker.
At one point, he was heard saying:
“If I tell you to close the shop, you close the shop.”
The video also showed the man knocking over several items inside the store before eventually leaving the premises while still visibly upset.
Foreigners barred from holding certain business licences
The incident also reignited discussions online regarding business ownership laws involving foreigners in Malaysia.
Previously, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming stated in Parliament that foreigners are not allowed to apply for or hold licences for certain small businesses.
These include grocery stores, restaurants, markets, car workshops and several other types of business premises. Under existing licensing laws, only Malaysian citizens are permitted to obtain such business licences.
However, foreigners are still allowed to work at these businesses as employees, provided they possess valid work permits or proper authorisation.
Netizens criticise man’s actions during confrontation
While many online users agreed that the authorities should step in if any licensing rules were breached, others slammed the man for handling the situation himself instead of leaving it to officials.
Some netizens also pointed out that the foreigner seen in the video might not even be the owner, suggesting he could simply be a long-term employee working at the shop.
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