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SHAH ALAM, 13 Oct – The Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) issued 771 compounds amounting to approximately RM771,000 against traders who violated licensing conditions, in addition to carrying out 105 seizures and issuing 20 premises closure notices during the first nine months of this year. MBDK Licensing Department Director Mohd Izzat Mokhtar said the increase in enforcement figures compared with the previous year was driven by more frequent and targeted operations, rather than necessarily indicating a rise in offences. “The increase in this year’s figures is due to more frequent joint enforcement operations conducted with other agencies. “Previously, operations may have focused on specific sectors. When enforcement was carried out more generally, the figures recorded might not have been as significant. “However, taking into account the current situation at the national and state levels, our focus has now shifted towards premises operated by foreign nationals. With more targeted enforcement, we are seeing higher figures,” he told Media Selangor in a recent interview. According to him, of the 771 compounds issued up to September, 643 were recorded between January and June, followed by 45 in August and 83 in September. Each compound for licensing offences carries a value of RM1,000, bringing the estimated total value of compounds issued to RM771,000. MBDK also carried out 105 seizures involving goods and equipment belonging to licence holders who failed to comply with the stipulated conditions. In addition, 20 notices relating to premises closure and the intention to revoke licences were issued, particularly against businesses found to have violated premises operating conditions. Mohd Izzat said foreign workers are only permitted to serve as premises assistants and are not allowed to work at front counters or as salespersons, in accordance with the stipulated licensing conditions. “If enforcement operations reveal that a premises is operated entirely by foreign nationals without the presence of the local licence holder, we will issue a notice of intention to revoke the licence. “The licence holder will be given seven days to provide an explanation. If no response is received or the explanation provided is unsatisfactory, the licence will be revoked,” he said. During the same period, MBDK inspected 424 unlicensed business premises, with 332 inspections recorded between January and June, followed by 57 in August and 35 in September. Among the areas prioritised for monitoring following public complaints were industrial areas in Meru and Kapar, Bandar Sultan Suleiman, Sungai Puloh apartments, Klang Utama and the Klang Utara town centre. In southern Klang, enforcement operations focused on Pulau Indah, Telok Gong, Bandar Sentosa, Taman Seri Andalas and Bukit Tinggi. To prevent premises that had previously been raided or ordered to close from resuming operations without authorisation, Mohd Izzat said MBDK conducts regular inspections and integrated operations with other agencies, including the Department of Environment and the Selangor Water Management Authority. Follow-up measures also include the seizure of goods and applications for utility supply disconnections against operators who repeatedly commit offences. |
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