KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities cracked down on foreign-run shops here six months ago, but people are still talking about it on social media.
The 'New Straits Times' gathered comments on it from its platforms.
On Facebook, user Raj Tega said: "Why grant business licences and loans to Malaysians, especially Bumiputeras, if they just rent their licences to foreigners?
"Our enforcement teams aren't cracking down on Malaysians who sit at home, collect rent or apply for additional licences.
"Ministers and enforcement teams are not doing anything about this.
"Some foreigners know that certain officers won't take action on this. This encourages foreigners to open more shops."
User Cayner Wong said this issue could be used to stamp out the rent of licences.
"The authorities can find loopholes in the immigration system, assess the impact of currency outflows if the money is sent back to the foreigners' homeland, and explore ways to collect taxes from foreign-operated businesses."
On Instagram, people commented that the authorities were too lenient.
User @madibotak said: "As the report stated, the premises are licensed to Malaysians, who then sublet them to foreigners.
"The authorities must come down hard on those who received these licences."
User @anitarichard645 said a similar situation was allegedly happening in Bukit Jambul, Penang. He said the issue had been reported to the authorities but to no avail.
User Michelle Teng suggested that taxing foreign workers instead of deporting them could be a more cost-effective solution, if locals didn't want to do certain jobs.
"If the problem keeps recurring, the government should find a solution rather than tracking and deporting them, which would cost even more."
Cikgu Sanjay said the authorities should find other solutions to this issue before it got out of control.
"The authorities need to come out with a plan to stop this problem.
" I think it's okay for foreigners to set up businesses, but they must be regulated and pay taxes."
On Jan 5, City Hall enforcement teams raided Mini Dhaka, or the area covering Jalan Silang and Lebuh Pudu, in an operation targeting businesses owned and run by foreigners.
Officers took action against 29 businesses for obstructing public places, while other premises operated by foreigners and 20 unlicensed hawkers had their goods confiscated.
The raid involving 300 officers also targeted Masjid India and Petaling Street.