Inspect Pakistani traders in P'pang: MP
Published on: Monday, May 18, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: The proliferation of Pakistani citizens operating sundry shops in Penampang has raised concern among locals who are questioning how these people who can barely speak Bahasa Malaysia can easily set up shops and operate businesses within the villages there. Penampang MP Darell Leiking said a special investigation team from his Parliamentary office conducted surprise checks on the sundry shops operated by them, it was revealed that locals have leased out their trading licenses and/or premises to these Pakistani citizens and that most of the Pakistanis citizens hold passports and are on Visitors Visa."It is my belief that our existing law must be upheld, enforced and respected. Our local authority must act against own locals who flouted the law when they subleased their trading licences to them by revoking their licences.
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"The authority is empowered to do this since trading licence for sundry shop would be categorised under 'sole proprietorship' and thus not transferable thereby the licence holder is expected to run and operate the sundry shop himself or herself and not the Pakistani traders. "Secondly, the village heads and JKKK Chairpersons should also be responsible to ensure that only those with proper documentation and licences be allowed to trade in the villages all over Penampang by reporting to the District Council officially on any suspected premises being subleased by the locals to these Pakistani citizens," he said in a statement. Darell also suggested that the Immigration Department inspect all the Pakistani citizens doing their businesses in this district since most of them are passport holders which could not be ascertained for sure whether they hold social visit pass or work pass. If it falls under the latter, he said, then did they pay the foreign workers levy to the State government.
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"As for this issue, I will officially write to the Immigration Department and bring up the issue in Parliament for deliberation," he said.He commended District Officer Luvita Koisun who had displayed an outstanding performance so far by her no nonsense determination in ensuring that the district is free from mismanagement clutter.
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He said it is hoped that she will continue her outstanding performance by investigating and taking action against any of these Pakistani-operated shops in Penampang that may have flouted the law."While many would see that is the first step in releasing the tentacles of the Pakistani citizens' economic grip over our locals, we also need to ensure that there exist a better choice for our locals in getting their daily goods and necessity," he said.Darell suggested that every village in Penampang set-up their own co-operative sundry shops to sell goods and products since it is the best option apart from the individually owned sundry shops in ensuring that respective villages will be sufficiently protected from these Pakistani citizens operated sundry shops. He added that having more co-operative sundry shops in Penampang would also enable the cottage industries in Penampang to flourish since producers, especially the school leavers, youths and housewives would be able to sell their products in more premises in different locations all over the district. "The government had collected billions of ringgit from Sabahans through the GST and it is time to for them to return it back to the Sabahans by funding the establishment of these co-operative sundry shops while at the same time, providing sufficient management training, accounts handling and capital funding to the villagers."While many have scoffed at my attempt to free the District of Penampang from the economic clutches of these Pakistani citizens with some even branding me as a racist and politicising the whole issue, I would bring the attention of everyone to the Sabah's east coast," he said. Darell stated that Esscom Chief Executive Officer, Ruji Ubi said that several Esscom operations in five districts namely Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan have resulted in local traders returning to dominate small business and his determination to ensure that Lahad Datu will not be dominated by traders from among the illegal immigrants."If such determination to clear Sabah from traders among the illegal immigrants within the East Coast of Sabah exists within Ruji Ubi, does this mean that he is now a racist? Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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