Exco: Penang to act against illegal migrant businesses

The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) in Penang is taking action against migrants who run illegal businesses and owners of houses over-occupied by foreigners, says Jagdeep Singh Deo.

Jagdeep, who is the state executive councillor in charge of housing and town and country planning, said actions taken by MPSP included conducting a joint operation with the Immigration Department and state Health Department on business premises occupied by migrants.

“The MPSP will check and investigate the abuse of licences by locals and will cancel their licences," the Datok Keramat assemblyperson said while wrapping up his speech on the motion of thanks to the governor's official address at the Penang Legislative Assembly yesterday.

"If the licence holder refuses to cooperate, MPSP will issue a compound and notice to the business owner who does not comply with the conditions of the licence," Jagdeep warned.

"They may also be taken to court under the Licence Fees (MPSP) By-law 1980 for conducting their businesses without proper council licences." 

Jagdeep said this in reply to Heng Lee Lee (DAP-Berapit) who expressed concern about Bukit Mertajam being flooded with migrants, making the place “uncomfortable” for the locals.

Heng (photo, below) said migrants were free to operate their businesses, with some allegedly using licences belonging to locals and did not pay the taxes due.

In February, MPSP councillor Jason Raj urged the federal and state governments to take action on foreign traders who illegally run businesses.

Jason claimed the situation was "serious" as sundry shops run by foreigners have mushroomed of late, although this is against the state's policy.

Jagdeep said MPSP had formed a special working group to discuss the issue of businesses run by migrants.

He said the working group, comprising MPSP officers and personnel from other departments or enforcement agencies, were looking into methods which were more systematic and effective to resolve the issue of migrants running businesses in Seberang Perai.

'Reconsider issuing business licences'

Meanwhile, Satees Muniandy (DAP-Bagan Dalam) asked the local councils to reconsider issuing business licences to migrants.

“Business licences should be limited to locals or those related to locals," Satees said.

Jagdeep clarified that business licences were only issued to migrant traders in cases involving private limited companies.

As for hawker licences, MPSP does not allow it at all, and only permits it to be issued to locals, Jagdeep said.

The influx of migrants in Penang, he said, had resulted in housing areas being over-occupied, leading to increased costs, especially in terms of cleaning solid wastes, which have become a burden to local councils.

Jagdeep added: "This is because a house can sometimes be occupied by 15 to 20 migrants. MPSP will act against any house that is occupied beyond its capacities, as stated in the Local Government Act.

"If found guilty, the house owners can be fined not more than RM2,000 or jailed not more than six (6) months or both.

"An over-occupied premise will contribute to increased solid wastes by migrants compared to the houses of locals." - Mkini