Ministry raids Pakistani's store for allegedly selling counterfeits

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry raided a shop selling fake local brands at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Masjid India last Thursday.

According to the ministry, the inspection found that one shop and a store were suspected of possessing, selling, and offering goods of the said brand.

“We confiscated 2,753 pairs of telekung (prayer garments) and 2,100 bags worth RM105,855.

“The premises owner was detained. We took his statement under the Trademark Act 2019 before being released on the same day,” said a ministry spokesperson.

Previously, Malaysiakini received information about a Pakistani citizen (alleged of selling the counterfeits) from several sources around Masjid India.

A source from the Immigration Department told Malaysiakini that the individual had married a local woman and supposedly used “irregular documents” to remain in Malaysia.

“The individual initially entered Malaysia under a PLKS (Temporary Work Visit Pass). Then, on Aug 16, 2023, he cancelled the PLKS and made a Check Out Memo (COM).

“Our laws are clear. A foreigner cannot re-enter Malaysia for at least six months after applying for COM.

“However, in less than a month, on Sept 11, 2023, he re-entered Malaysia using a social visit pass (tourist) through ‘counter setting’ at KLIA using a new passport,” claimed the source.

Married a local

Meanwhile, records from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) show that the Pakistani man married a local woman in October 2023.

“Subsequently, in January 2024, he went to the Putrajaya Immigration Department to apply for a long-term social visit pass (a visa accompanying the spouse of a Malaysian citizen).

“An acceptance document was issued in the same month for the social visit pass application.

“Going by the chain of events, immigration records indicate he entered Malaysia on Sept 11, 2023, then re-entered on Oct 15, 2024.

“And in January this year, he made a declaration of acceptance. It means he did not return to his home country after marrying a local woman,” the source added.

The source added that according to existing procedures, a foreigner (man) married to a local woman must return to his home country and reside there for six months before applying for a long visit pass.

“But based on records, he did not return to his country of origin but made his application while overstaying. This is what I meant by saying he used ‘irregular documents’.”

Malaysiakini had reached out to the Immigration Department for comments. - Mkini