KUALA LUMPUR: Foreigners seem to have returned to both the daily and wholesale Selayang Market to carry out their business illegally.
Although the authorities had raided the place several times, and was imposed the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) due to the high COVID-19 infection last year, it did not deter them from returning there to carry out their business, including operating along the five-foot way of shop buildings near the two markets.
A check by Bernama found that at the daily market, which opens from early morning to evening, there are more foreign traders selling vegetables, fruits and perishable goods during the weekend.
Meanwhile, the area along the five-foot way of the rows of two-storey shop buildings near the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market has also become their business spot, with some having able to open restaurants and set up stalls selling beef, mutton and chicken.
A fish monger, Norizah Saptu, 42, said the foreign nationals returned to carry out their business at the premises after the local traders there were moved to a new location in June last year.
She said some of the foreign traders were also becoming bolder by moving their location to the shop buildings located between the border of the Selayang Municipal Council and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to deceive the authorities.
"During this period, many of us local traders are resuming our business again after having to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but now we have to compete with the foreign nationals.
"We have to bear a lot of costs, including for the licence and rental of our business premises, while the foreigners can just carry out their trader wherever they like," said Norizah who has been running her business for 11 years.
A resident, Zulfahmi Hakimi Mohamad Said, 35, said the situation at the shop building near the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market was like being in another country.
"The place is full of foreign traders and also dirty. If no immediate action is taken to address this issue, it is not only going to create safety problems, but also health issues and affect the economy of the local traders in the area," he said.
Meanwhile, the Selayang Area Head of the Federal Territory Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association, Mohd Hafiz Mohd Sidik said stricter legal action should be taken against the foreign traders to protect local traders.
"The foreign traders can afford to sell their goods at a cheaper price than local traders because they do not pay rent for their business premises and obtain goods directly from suppliers. It is possible that some of us (local traders) will be forced to close shop," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Feb 21 2022
Foreigners seem to have returned to both the daily and wholesale Selayang Market to carry out their business illegally. - BERNAMA
'No one will win a trade war,' China says after Trump tariff threat
Donald Trump says he would impose the tariffs until China stops the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
What has caused Pakistan's deadly clashes between police and supporters of Imran Khan?
Topping the demands of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is the release of all its leaders, including Khan, who has been jailed on a series of corruption charges since August 2023.
One woman or girl killed every 10 minutes by intimate partner or family member - UN
The report highlights that "60 per cent of all female homicides" are committed by "people closely related to them".
Sweden urges Chinese ship to return for undersea cable investigation
Two subsea cables, one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden to Lithuania, were damaged in less than 24 hours.
[COLUMNIST] Building more highways won’t solve traffic congestion - reducing demand will
It is clear that adding more lanes and highways doesn't work, because we are still attempting the same approach to solve the issue.
Hyundai to invest RM2.16 bil in Malaysia through strategic partnership with INOKOM
This investment includes efforts to upgrade INOKOM's existing assembly capacity to meet Hyundai's automotive needs.
‘C4Cinta’ sets record as highest-grossing Malaysian Tamil film
'C4Cinta', directed by young filmmaker Karthik Shamalan, has set a new benchmark in Malaysian Tamil cinema.
Man charged with mother's murder, storing body in freezer
The court denied bail and scheduled case mention on Feb 7 for the submission of forensic, autopsy, and chemist reports.
Abolition of examination in schools to reduce pressure on pupils - Fadhlina
The classroom assessment approach offers a much more interesting learning ecosystem, says Fadhlina Sidek.
Google, Meta urge Australia to delay bill on social media ban for children
Google and Meta says the government should wait for the results of an age-verification trial before going ahead.
Judge tosses Trump 2020 election case after prosecutors' request
It represents a big legal victory for Donald Trump, who won the Nov. 5 US election and is set to return to office on Jan. 20.
DHL plane crash in Lithuania leaves authorities searching for answers
Rescue services said the plane hit the ground, split into pieces and slid over 100 metres (110 yards).
National squad to hold friendly matches for 2025 Indoor Hockey World Cup
The warm-up matches will involve matches against better ranked teams in the world, namely Austria (first) and Belgium (third).
G7 seeks unity on ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States, part of the G7, has rejected the ICC decision, with President Joe Biden describing it as outrageous.
Francissca Peter remembers Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab: A tribute to a musical legend
A legend who has influenced our music for decades, was one of the highlights of my career, says Francissca Peter.
TikTok decision coming soon as Jan. 19 divestment deadline looms
Judges are reviewing TikTok's challenge to a law requiring ByteDance to sell its US assets by Jan. 19 or face a ban.
Lebanese sources: Biden, Macron set to announce Israel-Hezbollah truce
In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're close" but "nothing is done until everything is done".
PM meets chaebol tycoon to attract more FDI to Malaysia
Chaebols are prominent figures from South Korea's family-owned conglomerates.
Govt won't allow non-citizen vehicles to enjoy RON95 subsidy - Economy Ministry
The implementation of the RON95 subsidy in 2025 is expected to provide savings of RM3.6 billion to government expenditure.
Ringgit opens lower as greenback gains ground
Dr Mohd Afzanizam says the market responded positively to news of hedge fund manager Scott Bessent heading the US Treasury Department.