KUALA LUMPUR: Joint operations conducted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) aimed at uncovering "Ali Baba" type businesses involving foreigners were carried out today.

A team of 30 officers from both agencies conducted thorough inspections along the Jalan Imbi and Bukit Bintang areas.

During one of these checks, one of the caretakers offered to "treat" City Hall enforcement officers if they turned a blind eye to their operations.

The caretaker, however, stopped in his tracks when he realised he was being watched by members of the media, who were shadowing the raid party.

"There was an attempt (to offer a bribe), but if you all (media members) were not here, (it might have been) done," said City Hall enforcement director Mohd Muzammer Jamaluddin.

When questioned further about instances where enforcement officers were approached or bribes were offered, he deferred the response to the MACC.

However, he said City Hall will never compromise with any external or internal parties, especially its enforcement officers involved in corruption activities related to abuse of power or misconduct.

Muzammer said, through the operation, a total of 20 business premises were inspected and 14 compound notices were issued to premises owners and licence holders.

They were fined under Section 20(1)(b) of the Minor Offences Act, Licensing of Trade, Business and Industry (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 2016 for employing foreigners without valid work permits on their business premises.

"However, we did uncover cases of permit misuse, including one where an individual was married to a Malaysian but operated a business seemingly 100 per cent dominated by foreigners.

"All premises were licensed... regarding the 'Ali Baba' businesses, we cannot confirm the extent of such operations as we observe the legitimate licences," Muzammer said when met by reporters.

He said City Hall's enforcement department conducts daily patrols and special operations targeting businesses involving foreign nationals, which serve as key performance indicators for the department.

"We have planned a total of 24 special operations targetting foreign business premises and 24 focusing on foreign hawking activities for 2024.

"From 2023 to May 2024, we issued a total of 3,588 compound notices and conducted 4,080 confiscation actions against hawkers.

"Among others, a total of 343 premises and restaurants were closed," he said.

On a related matter, Muzammer said he did not rule out the possibility of foreigners exploiting homeless individuals or locals to apply for business licences while operating the businesses themselves.

He said there were instances where they provide housing to homeless individuals or locals and only call them when there are inspections.

"There are such possibilities, and they (the homeless people exploited by the foreigners) would sit quietly. The caretaker asks to sit beside him, and gives RM400 to RM500 (per month).

"They give him a house (near the shoplots) and when enforcement officers come, they will just call him to come down," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1077854/media-presence-thwarts-bribe-attempt-during-joint-macc-city-hall-raid