MBSA: 'We offered Hot Burger to relocate before, but were turned down'

The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) had previously offered a temporary site to Hot Burger chain founder, Mohd Asri Hamid to do his business in Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh, according to the deputy mayor.

Mohd Rashidi Ruslan (above) told reporters that Asri, however, had allegedly turned down MBSA's offer to relocate his stall which became a subject of law enforcement activities recently.

"MBSA offered the individual a hawker stall site at a temporary location at Jalan 1A/3.

"However, he turned down our offer and continued to do his business at the kerb, causing road safety issues that led to action being taken (against the stall)," he said.

Rashidi was speaking to reporters during an operation by MBSA to raid premises and seize items used for illegal activities in the area this morning.

Asri, also known as Asri Janggut, came into the spotlight recently when he revealed that illegal gaming activities, the selling of illicit cigarettes, and other illegal businesses were purportedly rampant in Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh.

He took to Facebook Live to question why his burger stall was subjected to law enforcement when MBSA and the police allegedly did not bat an eye at the unlawful activities.

The businessperson alleged that the city council and police had been bribed by syndicates behind the activities. His video went viral on social media.

So far, at least four MBSA personnel were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and have been remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations.

On this, Rashidi said the council would give their full cooperation to the anti-graft body.

On today's operation, the deputy mayor said MBSA raided several premises which were used for business without proper authorisation by the council.

The premises raided included an unlicensed entertainment centre and several other businesses.

The council also issued over 100 notices to stalls which were operating without approval on road kerbs in the area.

Rashidi said that between Jan and July, actions have been taken against a total of 25 unlicensed premises in the area, while 19 premises operated by migrants have also been seized.

The operation was joined by other enforcement agencies including the police, Immigration Department, Customs Department, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and Air Selangor. Also present were officers from MACC.

Meanwhile, Selangor state government said in a statement that they would not compromise nor protect any of its staff who were involved in corruption and abuse of power.

The state executive councillor in charge of local government, public transport, and development of new villages Ng Sze Han said that the Selangor government will not hesitate to take action against any of its personnel who were involved in such wrongdoings.

"The public is also welcomed to channel information on wrongdoings of local council personnel, through the right channel, to help the Selangor state government in fighting corruption.

"The state government is committed to forming a government that has integrity together with the people of Selangor," he said. - Mkini