KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry raided an area in Segambut Dalam known as "Mini Jakarta" here yesterday, which has a large number of foreigners operating businesses.
The raid was carried out by enforcement officers following a recent viral TikTok video that claimed the businesses there were mostly monopolised by foreigners without licence.
At least 18 business premises were inspected during the operation.
Some of the operators were issued notices and summons for various violations, including failure to display business licence, expired business licence, using non-existent business owners and addresses, and hiring foreign nationals.
A survey by Berita Harian today revealed that the area was heavily populated with foreigners and many shops, particularly grocery stores and minimarts sold products from Indonesia.
City Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry deputy director Nurul Syarina Md Anuar said 11 fines were issued for various offences such as the absence of price tags on items and the use of uncertified weighing scales.
She said the traders in the area violated the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 by selling controlled items at a higher price than what was permitted by the ministry.
"Additionally, there were also violations under the Control of Supplies Act 1961 for selling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) without a valid licence. The total value of seized goods is estimated to be RM3,300."
She said preliminary investigations showed that most shops in the area were registered under licences issued by the local government.
"However, the customers are foreigners living in the vicinity, and some premises are operating on expired licences and are managed by foreigners," she said before warning traders against selling controlled items above the prices set by the government.
The issue in Segambut Dalam gained attention on TikTok over the past few days, with claims that the area is packed with foreigners, particularly Indonesians.
TikTok users have compared the area to the 'Mini Dhaka' in the heart of the city that was raided several months ago, with the only difference being the presence of many Indonesians in the Segambut Dalam area.
Many of the TikTok viewers also accused the traders of setting arbitrary prices for groceries, especially controlled goods and blamed the lack of enforcement by authorities in the area.