Immigrants dominating biz in urban areas
Published on: Saturday, September 15, 2018
Melaka: Immigrants, including those who are in the country illegally, are dominating businesses in certain urban areas and even tourist hotspots in Melaka, says executive councillor Norhizam Hassan Baktee.He blamed locals for leasing business licences, including for restaurants in Malim and Batu Berendam, to immigrants.He labelled these Malaysians as unpatriotic for aiding these foreigners. Licences from the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), he said, are leased for between RM500 and RM1,000 a month.
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As a result other locals including the young, he said are being denied business opportunities when immigrants monopolise businesses.The state agriculture, entrepreneur development and agro-based committee chairman also pointed out it was strange how businesses dealing with products that are not popular among locals could mushroom.These products included rolled palm cigarette, tobacco, coffee products, cooking ingredients and herbs, he said.The immigrant communities, he said, were probably driving demand for these products.
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Norhizam want authorities to step up enforcement against these businesses.He said raids should be carried out tactfully and checks should be carried out on immigrants claiming to work for local employers.
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Norhizam also said there were many illegal immigrants still in Melaka despite the Aug 31 deadline for them to voluntarily surrender and be sent back to their own countries.He added that some livestock and agriculture farms continued to hire illegal immigrants in rural areas.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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