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Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Malaysian minister reaffirms no foreigners allowed to hold hawker or small trader licences
Photo: Depositphotos/[email protected](for illustration purposes only) KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reaffirmed that foreign nationals are not allowed to apply for or hold hawker licences, business premises licences, or small trader permits, adding that local authorities (PBT) have never allowed this, Malay Mail reported. Mr Nga said during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Malaysia's parliament on Monday (Jul 28), that the long-standing policy follows existing hawker by-laws, along with trade, business, and industrial by-laws. 'PBT do not recognise or allow foreign nationals to operate as hawkers or small traders,' Mr Nga said in response to a question from Hulu Selangor MP Mohd Hasnizan Harun, who asked about the current policy on foreigners operating businesses in Malaysia, particularly its retail sector. 'PBT do not permit the employment of foreign nationals as workers or assistants under hawker licences within PBT premises,' he added. Mr Nga shared a Malay proverb— kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan —which highlights the misplaced priority of 'feeding the monkey in the jungle while one's own child at home dies of hunger', to underline the government's commitment to prioritising locals. See also Hyflux white knight Utico to buy 88% stake for S$535 million He said this is why the government provides locals with business opportunities at subsidised rental rates, and it's imperative that foreigners don't take advantage of them. However, the minister clarified that foreigners can still work as workers or assistants in other licensed businesses, as long as they have valid work permits or passes. He also warned licence holders that local authorities will take 'stern action' against any breach of licensing conditions. '(Authorities) will not compromise,' he said, adding that they may seize goods, issue fines, close premises, or revoke licences if any business or licence holder is found to be violating the law. /TISG Read also: Singapore restaurateurs expand regionally amid soaring rents, labour shortages, and shrinking consumer spending in SG Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only) () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Don't let foreigners misuse business licences, warns Nga
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians must not allow their citizenship to be misused by foreigners to obtain business licences, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said from January 2023 to July this year, 3,703 enforcement operations were carried out against business premises involving foreign workers. "Malaysian citizens must uphold the Rukun Negara and safeguard the nation's identity from being exploited," he said in reply to Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) in the Dewan Rakyat today. Nga said 14,834 compounds were issued, 23 licences terminated, and 2,880 premises seized due to licence violations. He explained that government policies were for the benefit of Malaysians and not foreigners, while clarifying that the ministry had never issued such licences to foreigners. "The local authorities and the government have never allowed foreigners to apply and obtain licences for hawker stalls, small businesses, business premises, retail shops, restaurants, car workshops and markets," he said. He added that foreigners were also not allowed to work at premises owned by the local authorities, as citizens were meant to earn an income through the local authorities' premises. "The local authorities will not compromise with any violation of the terms of the licence issued. Strict action such as seizures, compounds, shutting down of premises and termination of licences will be taken," he said.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
No hawker or small trader licences for foreigners, says Nga Kor Ming
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Local authorities (PBT) have never allowed foreign nationals to apply for or hold hawker licences, small trader permits, or business premises licences, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said today. Speaking during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Nga stressed that this long-standing policy is in line with existing regulations under the hawkers by-laws as well as the trade, business, and industrial by-laws. He was responding to Hulu Selangor MP Mohd Hasnizan Harun, who had asked about the current policy regarding foreign nationals operating businesses in Malaysia, particularly in the retail sector. 'Under the hawkers by-laws, PBT do not recognise or allow foreign nationals to operate as hawkers or small traders. Moreover, PBT do not permit the employment of foreign nationals as workers or assistants under hawker licences within PBT premises,' Nga explained. He said the government is committed to supporting Malaysians by providing business opportunities at subsidised rental rates, which made it imperative to prevent misuse by foreigners. Nga added a Malay proverb to emphasise the government's stance: 'The government will never allow a situation where, as the saying goes, kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan.' The proverb tells of misplaced priorities in which kindness is shown to outsiders to the extent of neglecting one's own family or responsibilities. However, Nga clarified that foreign nationals may be employed as workers or assistants in other licensed businesses, provided they possess valid work passes or permits. He issued a stern warning to all licence holders, stating that local authorities will not compromise on any breach of licensing conditions. '(Authorities) will not compromise on any breach of licensing conditions and will take stern action such as seizure, fines, premises closure, and licence revocation against any business or licence holder found in violation,' he said.
BusinessToday
2 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
SST Relief, Foreign Business Rules And Animal Welfare On Dewan Rakyat Agenda
The government's assurance to prevent ongoing construction projects from being impacted by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and policies governing businesses run by foreign nationals are among the key matters in focus at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) has asked the Works Minister to specify which construction projects are exempted from SST and outline measures to ensure the tax does not disrupt ongoing works. He also queried whether the MADANI Government would consider a grace period before applying SST to the construction sector. Separately, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) will seek clarification from the Housing and Local Government Minister on the policy allowing foreign nationals to operate businesses, particularly in retail. He also raised concerns about premises registered under citizens' names but fully managed by foreign operators, including cases involving the use of a spouse's name. Attention will also be drawn to animal welfare issues, as Wong Chen (PH-Subang) asks the Agriculture and Food Security Minister if a national framework will be introduced to combat stray animal abuse and whether collaboration with NGOs, local authorities and experts is on the cards. Following the Q&A session, two bills – the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 – are set for first reading, while the second reading will cover amendments to the Poisons Act, the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act and validation of ferry fees at Pengkalan Kubor. The second meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament runs for 24 days until Aug 28. Related
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: SST impact on construction, foreign business regulations and animal welfare
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The government's move to ensure ongoing construction projects are not affected by the Sales and Services Tax (SST) and the current policy on the freedom of foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia are among the highlights of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper on the official Parliament website, Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) has asked the Works Minister to state the categories of construction projects exempted from SST and what measures the ministry is taking to ensure the tax does not impact ongoing construction projects. He also wanted to know whether the Madani Government would consider granting a grace period before imposing the SST on the construction sector. At the same session, Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) will ask the Minister of Housing and Local Government about the current policy on the freedom of foreign nationals to operate businesses in Malaysia, especially in the retail sector. He has also requested clarification on the action taken against premises registered under a citizen's name but fully operated by foreign nationals, including cases involving the use of a wife's name who is a citizen. Also to draw attention is a question on the abuse of stray animals, raised by Wong Chen (PH-Subang) to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Wong wishes to know whether the ministry will introduce a comprehensive national framework to address stray animal abuse and whether it will collaborate with non-governmental organisations, local authorities and animal welfare experts to implement an integrated and holistic approach. Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of two bills for first reading, namely the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025 and the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. The sitting then continues with the second reading of the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will be held for 24 days until August 28. — Bernama In Dewan Rakyat today:
