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Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang councils call for action after bribery, extortion claims in videos
Several video clips on social media have made allegations against city council staff of bribery, abuse of power, extortion and physical threats. PETALING JAYA : The two city councils in Penang have called for action over viral video clips alleging bribery and abuse of power by council staff in dealings with business operators. The Penang island city council called for an investigation into two viral videos alleging bribery for allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses, Bernama reported. The videos, circulated on TikTok, also allege that council enforcement officers applied double standards in their operations. Separately, the Seberang Perai city council said that it has launched an internal investigation into another viral video in which a man alleges that council officers abused their powers at his friend's business premises. The viral video, which runs for two minutes, includes claims of extortion, threats against customers, wrongful detention of foreigners, and even an incident in which a local man was allegedly slapped after being mistaken for a foreign national. The Penang island city council said two videos circulated on TikTok contained 'numerous false and biased claims which amount to slander and misrepresentation of the council'. It called for an investigation by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. The council said city councillors Tan Soo Siang, R Harikrishnan, Muhammad Khairul Mohd Ali, and Abdul Razak Rahman had also lodged police reports against the person who posted the videos. The Seberang Perai council said an internal investigation has been launched and a meeting held with the business owner involved to gather detailed information about the incident. The council urged the business owner to lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission if there was genuine evidence of corruption involving council staff.
Malaysiakini
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Penang councils make MCMC report, conduct internal probe on graft
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has filed a report with the MCMC urging an investigation into two viral TikTok videos containing allegations of corruption and double standards involving the council's personnel. In a statement today, MBPP said four city councillors - Tan Soo Siang, R Harikrishnan, Khairul Ali, and Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman - also lodged a police report against the individual who uploaded the videos. 'MBPP is deeply disappointed by...
Malaysiakini
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Penang councils make MCMC report, conduct internal probe on graft
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has filed a report with the MCMC urging an investigation into two viral TikTok videos containing allegations of corruption and double standards involving the council's personnel. In a statement today, MBPP said four city councillors - Tan Soo Siang, R Harikrishnan, Khairul Ali, and Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman - also lodged a police report against the individual who uploaded the videos. 'MBPP is deeply disappointed by...
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Penang councils urge MCMC probe into viral TikTok videos alleging corruption, launch investigations
GEORGE TOWN, June 6 — The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has filed a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) urging an investigation into two viral TikTok videos containing allegations of corruption and double standards involving the council personnel. In a statement today, MBPP said that four city councillors — Tan Soo Siang, R. Harikrishnan, Muhammad Khairul Mohd Ali, and Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman - also lodged a police report against the individual who uploaded the videos. 'MBPP is deeply disappointed by the videos circulating on TikTok. The content includes numerous false and biased claims that are not based on accurate facts or data. The videos amount to slander and misrepresentation of the council,' the statement read. MBPP said that it will not hesitate to take legal action against the content creator or any party attempting to tarnish the council's reputation without credible evidence. The videos in question accuse MBPP of accepting bribes in exchange for allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses and claim that MBPP enforcement officers apply double standards in their operations. In a related development, the Seberang Perak City Council (MBSP) said that it has launched an internal investigation into another viral video that allegedly shows one of its officers engaging in corrupt practices. According to MBSP, a meeting was held with the business owner involved to gather detailed information about the incident. The council emphasised that a full internal inquiry is underway to address the allegations made in the video. 'MBSP strongly urges the business owner to make an official report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission if there is genuine evidence of corruption involving MBSP staff,' the statement read. The council also reiterated that it does not tolerate any misconduct related to corruption or abuse of power among its personnel. The viral video, which runs for two minutes, features a man alleging that MBSP officers abused their powers at his friend's business premises. The video includes claims of extortion, threats against customers, wrongful detention of foreigners, and even an incident in which a local man was allegedly slapped after being mistaken for a foreign national. — Bernama
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
If it's illegal ... it's gone
Not permitted: MBPP taking action against illegal businesses, demolishing shacks and seizing equipment from food stalls, grocery shops and car washes. — Photo courtesy of Penang Island City Council GEORGE TOWN: These are restless days for some of the thousands of small businesses here because city council enforcers with chainsaws, angle grinders and sledgehammers are out in the field daily. The enforcement blitz that started early this year has kept business owners on their toes, since even eateries putting tables and chairs on five-foot ways at night find their furniture confiscated with no chance of getting them back. Over 50 illegally built business premises have been torn down and more than 800 other illegal structures are on Penang Island City Council's (MBPP) radar in a major crackdown not seen in years. A check on social media channels shows that many local governments nationwide have recently practised a stricter level of enforcement, but a source in MBPP said this was not a crackdown by the Federal Government. 'We received no directive from the Housing and Local Government Ministry. 'We needed to take action as too many stalls are cropping up illegally and they present issues of public safety and traffic, that erode the quality of life of locals,' said the source. These businesses such as car wash outlets, eateries or grocery stores get their structures torn down and every piece of equipment taken away for good. Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has been sharing photos of the frequent demolitions and confiscations on social media, and many Penangites are publicly praising the stern measures. MBPP's rule is that offenders who have their equipment and furniture confiscated the third time will never be able to get them back even after paying the fines, while foreigners would have their things confiscated permanently on the first offence. 'It's simple – if you want to start a business, build a structure or extend your premises, apply for licences and submit plans. If not, we'll demolish the structures and confiscate the equipment,' warned MBPP public health and licensing committee alternate chairman Tan Soo Siang. She said MBPP had torn down 51 illegal structures since January, 15 of which were operated by foreigners. Illegal businesses operated by foreigners were removed swiftly, while locals were usually offered alternatives before facing demolition and seizures, she said. MBPP now deploys 30 to 40 enforcement officers daily who are prepared to dismantle illegal structures across the island. While major demolitions occur once or twice a week, smaller actions such as seizures and forced relocations take place daily. 'We've already cleared Macalister Road of illegal stalls and are now targeting areas like Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Air Itam, and Bayan Baru.' There is just one exception: some petty traders by roadsides possess a 'yellow tag' which allows them to operate. Introduced in 2008 when Pakatan Rakyat took over the government, the 'yellow card' system legitimises those traders. Those who received this card are allowed to remain at their current locations, provided they have valid business licences. 'These traders will not be removed unless development requires relocation, in which case we offer them spots at nearby food courts or council markets. 'People often assume we ignore long-time petty traders but it is really because they obtained their yellow tags years ago.' Tan clarified that foreigners are allowed to work in mini-markets, shops, and food outlets if they are legal workers. However, hawker food must be prepared by locals, and all food handlers – foreign or local – must have anti-typhoid vaccinations.
