Call for action against foreign traders using locals' business licences

A Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillor has urged the federal and state governments to take action against foreign traders who illegally run businesses.

First-term councillor Jason Raj said the situation is "serious" as sundry shops run by foreigners have mushroomed lately, although this is against the state's policy.

"Many of these traders run businesses using licences obtained by locals.

"We ought to look into this serious problem as indirectly, they are tresspassing on the economy of Malaysians.

"Many foreigners are undocumented ... some have work permits, but no licences to run businesses," he added. 

"Our local traders suffer because of these foreign traders as they (foreign traders) sell their stuff at a cheaper price to avoid paying taxes," he stressed.

Asked for data on the said problem, Jason said the local council was in the process of documenting the cases to find ways to resolve the issue.

"We often inspect the shops and find that those who own the licences to trade are not the ones running the businesses. They loan their licences for a fee to foreigners," Jason told Malaysiakini.

"We are looking into this issue because local traders have complained to us, saying that they feel cheated as foreigners have taken over their space and opportunities to trade," he said, adding that these foreign traders were mostly in Prai.

Jason also questioned how these foreigners are able to bring in goods from their countries to sell.

"Are the goods imported or brought in through other means? The profits which our locals should benefit from are being snatched by foreigners.

"Isn't this a sort of betrayal of small local traders who depend on their sundry shops to make a living?

"Was this situation caused by the former BN government? Our new Pakatan Harapan federal government must look into this oppression of our local traders," he said.

Jason urged the Securities Commission, the Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Ministry, Immigration Department and Health Ministry to work with MPSP on the matter. - Mkini