Latest news with #Az'har
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Checks to ensure no foreign workers at Selayang stalls
Selayang residents taking part in morning exercise at the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) in Sungai Tua. — Courtesy photo Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has carried out over 80 operations this year on hawker and roadside stalls to ensure compliance with rules on hiring foreign workers. MPS deputy president Az'har Samsuri said foreign workers were only allowed to work in licensed restaurants, not roadside stalls or hawker setups. He said MPS had been working with the Immigration Department on this matter. 'We now have clearer guidelines. 'If we find foreign workers in hawker zones, we will issue compounds or revoke permits,' he told StarMetro after chairing the local council's monthly full board meeting at its headquarters. Since January, Az'har said over 200 notices had been issued by MPS for various offences linked to hawker stall operations, including the use of unlicensed foreign labour. 'This is not about targeting any group. 'It is about maintaining compliance and ensuring fair trading opportunities for Malaysians. 'If they are hired at proper restaurants with the right documentation, that is permitted. 'But anything under the hawker category is not allowed,' he reiterated. In a separate matter, Az'har said MPS' Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) in Sungai Tua was now fully operational. 'The RM2.4mil activity centre for senior citizens opened on June 16 and has received strong response, with 68 elderly residents participating on the first day alone,' he said. Activities at PAWE include light exercise, art workshops, religious talks, and health awareness sessions. 'We are also looking into providing estate planning modules such as will-writing, because many of our seniors are not familiar with these processes,' said Az'har. He said MPS might consider opening more such centres in Rawang and other areas under its jurisdiction if the pilot project proved sustainable. Regarding the local council's monthly meet-the-client session on June 13 at Menara MPS, Az'har said they received 43 walk-in complaints and enquiries. 'This platform has helped resolve many issues quickly, especially on enforcement, compounds and planning matters.' He said MPS hoped to extend it to twice a month.
The Star
29-05-2025
- The Star
Selayang council monitoring strays in Bandar Tasik Puteri after residents injured
SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) has stepped up operations on stray dogs in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, following two recent incidents. On May 2, a teenager was injured after falling while fleeing a pack of stray dogs. Then on May 10, a woman was bitten while exercising near her home. 'We have approached this issue with prudence after the first case,' MPS deputy president Az'har Samsuri said during the monthly full board meeting at Menara MPS in Bandar Baru Selayang, Selangor. 'MPS has increased patrolling to monitor for stray dogs in the area.' He said the local council could not confirm if the dogs which chased and/or attacked the residents had been caught. 'We don't know for sure if the dogs in the incidents are wild or have owners.' Between May 5 and 20, MPS carried out 14 operations which resulted in the capture of 40 dogs. The animals were transferred to a shelter in Rawang. Az'har said MPS encountered challenges during enforcement, including public interference. 'Some stray dogs that were in cages were released by the public,' he said. 'Some council officers were also provoked in the course of carrying out their duties.' He added that some MPS officers encountered feeders who claimed to represent non-governmental organisations but did not show proof of affiliation. 'There are those who support this person feeding strays, and those who don't because feeding attracts more strays. 'We are trying to manage both sides,' said Az'har. Some individuals, he said, had been feeding strays irresponsibly by leaving food on the road. 'This in turn attracts more dogs into the residential areas.' On another matter, Az'har said MPS collected RM62.16mil in assessment tax this year, achieving 92.78% of its RM67mil target and recovering RM3.97mil in arrears. He said digital payments made up 79.32% of April's collections, with over RM2.3mil in transactions recorded through the MyMPS portal. These included assessment tax, business licences, stall rentals, permits and compounds. Az'har said preparations were also underway for Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2026 as the MPS Stadium has been selected for the women's football event. 'MPS will be ready for Sukma by the end of the year,' he said in reference to new parking bays under construction, for over 300 vehicles, behind the stadium. The stadium has undergone major upgrades in the past two years, including a RM7mil field refurbishment, RM800,000 scoreboard, new public announcement system and improved floodlights. The municipal council also welcomed former MPS deputy president Datuk Cheremi Tarman as the new Orang Besar Daerah Gombak following his recent appointment to the post. He has been appointed councillor for Zone 2 and will serve on MPS' finance, infrastructure, community and One-Stop Centre (OSC) committees. Cheremi had previously served as Shah Alam mayor.
