Alor setar: The Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) is conducting continuous monitoring of business activities within its administrative area to curb licence abuse and illegal operations, particularly involving foreigners. Alor Setar Mayor Datuk Abdul Ghafar Yahya said a series of integrated operations have been conducted by the MBAS Enforcement Division together with the Kedah Immigration Department, Kota Setar District Police Headquarters and the Kota Setar District Office to curb such activities since last year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, several categories of premises employing foreign workers have been identified and inspected, including 73 car wash outlets, 64 restaurants, and 20 sundry shops. Enforcement operations are also carried out in areas identified as hotspots for foreigners, such as the city centre (Jalan Langgar) and construction sites. So far, MBAS has not detected any cases of foreigners abusing their visas to run businesses in the city.
MBAS emphasizes that business licences are issued only to Malaysian applicants, and licensees must comply with the conditions set. Among these conditions, licensees are not allowed to employ foreign workers without a valid pass or work permit, in accordance with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963. Applicants are required to submit details and a list of foreign workers at their premises, as well as ensure that copies of valid work permits are provided when required.
Furthermore, Abdul Ghafar highlighted that foreign workers are not allowed to work at the front counter of premises as cashiers, and approved business licences cannot be sublet or leased to any foreign nationals. He stressed that any violation of the conditions may result in enforcement action in accordance with the law and the terms of the licence in force.
Meanwhile, Consumers' Association of Kedah (CAKE) president Mohd Yusrizal Yusoff stated that the issue of foreigners involved in unauthorised business activities, as raised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, should be taken seriously by all stakeholders. The public has raised concerns about foreigners coming in on visitor or student visas and running businesses for profit, affecting the local economy.
Mohd Yusrizal proposed that large-scale integrated operations involving the police, the Immigration Department, and related agencies be carried out continuously to curb illegal business activities and visa abuse by foreigners. On Monday, Anwar expressed concern over the growing number of foreigners misusing visitor and student visas to engage in business activities in Malaysia, including in the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector.