KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) — Local authorities (PBTs) have issued a total of 14,834 compounds against business premises for various offences, including the illegal transfer of licences and permits to foreigners, since 2023, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said that the authorities have also sealed 2,880 premises and revoked 23 business licences.
“It must be stressed that the Ministry and PBTs have never allowed any foreign nationals to apply for or own hawker or small business licences, business premises, grocery stores, eateries, car workshops, or markets.
“PBTs also do not allow the hiring of foreigners as workers under hawker licences at their premises, as the MADANI Government is deeply committed to supporting Malaysians through business opportunities and ensuring the sustainability of the local traders’ economy,” he said.
He was responding to a question from Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) regarding businesses being operated by foreigners in Malaysia, particularly in the retail sector, during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Nga said existing policies and regulations, such as the Hawkers By-Laws and the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries By-Laws, clearly stipulate that only Malaysian citizens are allowed to apply for business licences. At the same time, foreign nationals can only be hired if they hold a valid work pass or trade permit.
He said PBTs carry out continuous enforcement and monitoring operations, including regular inspections of business premises and hawkers, particularly in areas with a high concentration of foreign nationals, as well as confiscating goods from foreign hawkers.
Nga also said that the local authorities would revoke licences from those found to have misused their permits, stressing that the conditions for new applications and business licences have been tightened, based on each state’s jurisdiction, to curb the operations of foreign-owned businesses.
In response to a supplementary question from Mohd Hasnizan regarding the ruse of using Malaysian spouses as proxies to open businesses, Nga said Malaysians must act responsibly and uphold the principles of the Rukun Negara.
“If there is solid evidence, I welcome the information to be forwarded to the ministry for immediate action,” he added.
— BERNAMA