DBKL leads checks on foreigners operating businesses without proper permit
THE STAR
The authorities carrying out checks at the one of the shops in Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin (formerly known as Jalan Silang) during the joint operation.
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and several other government agencies conducted a surprise check on shops run by foreigners in Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin (formerly known as Jalan Silang) to take action against those operating without business licence and work permits.
Action was also taken against those putting up advertisements without DBKL approval at shops in this area, which has become a hub for foreign workers.
Three foreigners, two women from Nepal and a man from India, were detained for not having valid travel documents while 79 compounds were issued to operators of premises without a trading licence.
Apart from DBKL, other government agencies that took part in the special operation were the police, Immigration Department, Domestic Trade And Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNKK) and the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
According to an immigration officer, the officers verified the validity of the working permits and passports of foreign workers using a network system linked up to their mobile phones.
An Immigration Department officer verifying the documents of a foreign national using a network system linked up to his mobile phone.
“The system involves a scan of barcode on the documents, which provides us with a picture and details of the actual working permit.
“If the picture and details do not match, we take the worker to the headquarters for a second check,” he said.
DBKL Licensing and Petty Traders Management Department chief senior assistant director Zulkifli Muhammad said of the 79 compounds issued during the operation, 36 were from SSM, DBKL (35) and KPDNKK (8).
“It is the first operation this year for business premises, and the second operation on illegal advertisements.
“We estimate that there are about 300 business premises with licences in the area, 73 of which are wholly-owned by non-Malaysians.
Compound notices were issued to businesses that do not display their business licences, do not have legitimate business licences as well as those advertising without a licence and unclean premises.
“We will revisit the area after a few days and will issue show-cause letters to those who violate the conditions of their business licence.
“We will revoke their licences if they do not fulfil the conditions of the trading license,” said Zulkifli, adding that similar operations would be carried out throughout the year to curb unlicensed business activities of foreign nationals.
