DPMMNK Raises Concern Over Foreigners Using Marriage, Partnership With Locals To Operate Business
KOTA BHARU, June 19 (Bernama) -- Cases involving foreigners allegedly using marriages with local women and business partnerships as channels to operate businesses under the names of Malaysians have been highlighted by the Kelantan Malay Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (DPMMNK).
Its president, Wan Zulkifli Wan Abdullah, said the issue was among the complaints received from members, particularly those in the retail and food and beverage sectors who claimed to be facing unfair competition.
According to him, some foreigners are alleged to be operating businesses under the names of local spouses or business partners to continue business operations without facing certain regulatory constraints.
“We have received numerous complaints from members, especially restaurant and retail operators, who claim they are facing unequal competition from foreigners who do not comply with licensing and taxation requirements.
“There are also cases where foreigners are alleged to be using licences belonging to locals, including through business partnerships or marriages with local women, allowing businesses to operate under the name of a local spouse or partner,” he told Bernama recently.
Meanwhile, the Ketereh Islamic Municipal District Council (MDKPI) detected 21 cases of misuse of visas or visit passes to conduct business activities over the past three years.
Its secretary, Mohd Azman Ghazali, said that between January and May this year, the local authority conducted three enforcement operations, issued 21 compounds and ordered the closure of three premises for violating business regulations.
He said sectors most frequently detected involving foreigners included retail, hawker operations, food and beverage outlets, construction and alms-collecting activities in public areas.
According to him, MDKPI views seriously the involvement of local individuals who assist or facilitate such activities and warned that action may be taken under existing laws and licensing conditions.
In this regard, Wan Zulkifli advised the public to exercise caution before allowing their names or business licences to be used by others, warning that they could be exposed to liabilities including compounds, tax obligations and legal action if conditions are breached.
He also called on the government to intensify monitoring efforts and strengthen cooperation between enforcement agencies and the business community to curb such practices.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reminded Rohingya refugees in Malaysia to comply with local laws and regulations or face strict action.
He was reported as saying that while Malaysia adopts a humanitarian approach, refugees remain subject to the country’s legal framework, including regulations governing the use of premises and business operations.
-- BERNAMA
