Johor to get tough on illegal immigrants involved in wholesale business
JOHOR BARU: The state government plans to get tough on illegal immigrants who are involved in the wholesale business here.
Johor Consumerism, Human Resources and Unity committee chairman Dr S. Ramakrishna said wholesale markets in the state are being controlled by foreign nationals.
"These foreign syndicates are monitoring the wholesale market here for years. We are going to check their status as some of them may be illegal immigrants," he said, adding that other states also have a similar problem.
He was speaking to reporters after meeting with 15 non-governmental organisations at the Johor Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) Office here on Tuesday.
Ramakrishna said the state would carry out operations with the Immigration department and other related agencies to crackdown on these illegal traders.
He said one of the reasons could be due to locals who sub-let the licenses to foreign syndicates.
Ramakrishna said the local authorities should blacklist the licenses of those who sub-let to immigrants.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association Malaysia president Datuk Yow Boon Choon said foreign petty traders have affected the business of local traders here.
"Foreign immigrants are not only active in the wholesale sector, some individual immigrants sell belts, handbags and other items on the street daily.
"Their influence is getting bigger these days." he added.