Foreigners fined RM1,000 for trading illegally in Little India, Klang

FOREIGNERS from India caught selling snacks without a trading permit in Klang’s Little India were fined RM1,000 under Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) Hawker Bylaw 2007.

They were selling snacks and sweets for Deepavali from a rented food truck.

MPK Market and Hawkers Management Department director Azhar Samsudin said the modified truck had been seized and impounded at the council’s yard at Jalan Bandaran, off Jalan Tepi Sungai.

“MPK does not allow foreigners to set up hawker stalls or operate food trucks.

“We deemed the business as illegal as they did not have a licence.

“The two foreign workers also did not have typhoid vaccinations, which pose a health risk to those who buy their food items,” he said after a meeting with MPK assistant environmental health officer Asma Habibul Che Mat.

Typhoid is a serious illness that affects the digestive system through food contamination.

Under the Food Handlers Bylaw 1979, typhoid vaccination is compulsory for those handling food.

Azhar said the foreigners were given a stern warning on Oct 16 to end their business but they defied the order and continued trading the following day.

That prompted MPK to seize the food truck and issue the fine.

“The food truck has not been claimed until today. We impose a RM10 charge daily for storage,” he said.

“MPK has found foreigners selling trinkets and accessories in Little India, and even seers with green parrots used for telling one’s fortune.

“We have issued warnings that we will confiscate their items at the next raid,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azhar said for this year’s Deepavali season, MPK issued 143 licences for trading lots at Lorong Tingkat and 10 trading lots at Jalan Tali Air.

“We have not approved the setting up of stalls along the main thoroughfare of Jalan Tengku Kelana and Lorong Rembau as having stalls there will disturb traffic flow.

“The fee for trading along Lorong Tingkat is RM600 per stall this year, compared to RM400 previously, as electricity charges had to be factored in.

“For Jalan Tali Air, the fee is RM397 per lot as traders are using their own mobile generators,” he said.

Azhar added that until Nov 11, enforcement officers would be stationed at Lorong Tingkat from 11am until midnight to maintain order and put a stop to illegal trading.

“Only shop owners are allowed to display their wares outside the five-foot way on both sides of Jalan Tengku Kelana.

“We hope to get the shop owners’ cooperation to not sublet the space outside their shops to outsiders as that will make the five-foot way more chaotic,” he said.