Foreigners are using marriage with locals to secure business licence

 

CASES involving sham marriages between foreign nationals and local women, allegedly carried out to obtain  business licences, are believed to be becoming increasingly serious in Selangor.

Selangor Local Government and Tourism Exco Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the issue is not new and is believed to have been taking place for more than a decade.

He said some marriages were entered into solely to enable foreign nationals to operate businesses and continue residing in the country.

“This modus operandi is among the challenges that make it difficult for local authorities to take action because the business licences are obtained under the name of the spouse, who is a Malaysian citizen,” he told a press conference at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly building today.

When enforcement operations are carried out, the individuals involved often claim that they are merely helping their spouse manage the business.

“We are faced with a dilemma when it comes to taking action because the licence is valid and registered under the name of a local citizen,” Ng added.

The  news which was also carried by Buletin TV3 has since raised quite the furore among netizens.

“Not in Selangor only. It is the same with the other states,” warned @Fadiman76.

According to @Tamingsari2020, the government should strip the citizenship of those who married illegal immigrants and refugees. 

Netizen @CookieOllie further suggested a law where Malaysian women who married foreigners cannot apply for a shop license. 

Also, @jiwanguy believed only local men who married foreigners can apply for a business license.

“The ladies of Selangor have a crazy taste too it seems,” pointed out @ak_momentum.

Away from all the hatred and suggestions, Ng said local authorities are unable to revoke business licences in such situations unless there is a breach of licence conditions or other offences under the relevant laws.

He also acknowledged concerns over the growing number of foreign traders operating small businesses without proper oversight, but stressed that firm action is still taken against those operating without licences.

As such, he said the state government will continue working closely with the Immigration Department and other relevant agencies to identify the most effective way of addressing the issue, which is alleged to be occurring in several industrial hotspots across Selangor.

He added that among the areas where such cases have been detected are Sungai Rasau and Section 15 in Shah Alam. —  Focus Malaysia