Enforcement is across the board, says KL mayor

The Star

21-05-2025

(From left) Think City Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Ameer, Maimunah and Lim at the appreciation gathering in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
DBKL vows to take action against illegal traders
THREE hotels in Kuala Lumpur were sealed this year for failing to comply with the local authority's regulations, says mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
She was underscoring the point that there was no favouri­tism involved as Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) enforcement was applied across the board, from stalls to hotels.
Speaking at an appreciation gathering organised by Batu Road Retailers Association (Barra) and Masjid India Business Association (Miba) at Sogo Kuala Lumpur, Maimunah said issues raised by the associations, especially those related to illegal traders, were taken seriously.
This was in response to complaints by Miba president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin regarding the challenges faced by local traders.
Ameer had highlighted several concerns, including unlicensed businesses operated by foreign workers, illegal traders, bazaars blocking access to established businesses, and persistent parking issues due to illegal or double parking.
'These issues have significantly affected long-time traders in the Masjid India area,' he said.
He urged the mayor to address the influx of foreign workers operating illegally in areas such as Jalan Silang.
'The Home Ministry has stated that only 15% of employees in certain sectors can be foreigners.
'Based on this, enfor­ce­­ment should be carried out at premises that are entirely run by foreigners,' he said.
'We need to support our small businesses. Many of us – like Mydin, Sogo and Giant – started small before growing bigger,' said Ameer.
He further said that 99% of shops operated by foreigners failed to comply with local product labelling regulations, especially for impor­ted items.
These, he suggested, were areas where DBKL could step up enforcement.
Ameer also called on DBKL to act against the so-called 'drinks syndicate' operating at Jalan Chow Kit and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, allegedly run by 80% foreign vendors without licences.
He urged authorities to assist local street food vendors by relocating them to proper sites so that they did not obstruct other businesses.
Meanwhile, Barra founder and Malaysia Retailers Association president Datuk Andrew Lim expressed hope that the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign would attract both local and international tourists to areas such as Batu Road and Masjid India.
Maimunah thanked the business community for its cooperation and said DBKL would adopt an integrated enfor­cement approach in colla­bora­tion with the relevant bodies.
'I will visit Jalan Silang personally to assess the situation.
'In Chow Kit, enforcement has already taken place. One of the former mayors was impressed by the approach we took.
'I work closely with my offi­cers, especially ground staff. I value their feedback because they are on the frontlines,' she added.
Regarding parking issues, Maimunah said DBKL had towed many vehicles and she met with Rapid KL officials to discuss strategies to reduce traffic congestion.