‘No compromise on violation of licensing conditions’

THE local authorities will not compromise on any violation of licensing conditions and provisions by foreign-owned businesses, the House heard yesterday.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said foreigners were never allowed to apply for or to own hawker licences, small business licences or business premises, including for grocery stores, eateries, workshops and markets, in line with the subsidiary legislations on hawkers and trade industrial businesses under the Local Government Act 1976.

She added that firm action would be taken against those who violated licensing conditions, which included premises confiscation, imposing fines, as well as revoking or terminating licences.

“Local authorities do not recognise or allow foreigners as hawkers and small traders under the subsidiary legislation of hawkers.

“Similarly, local authorities do not permit the employment of foreign nationals as workers or assistants under hawker licences.

“This is because rental rates (on-premises) set by local authorities are below the market price, as they are aimed at providing business opportunities for Malaysians.

“Under the subsidiary legislation on trade industrial businesses, business licences are only issued to Malaysians. It allows foreigners to be employed as workers or assistants with the condition of owning valid work passes and permits,” she said in the Dewan Negara yesterday.

Fuziah was responding to a question from Senator Ahmad Ibrahim on the readiness of local authorities to eradicate the influx of unlicensed traders, particularly by illegal immigrants.

She added that local authorities had revoked 26,108 licences since 2022, from 2,031 enforcement operations on foreign-owned businesses following violations of licensing conditions as well as transferring of licences and permits to foreigners.