The Hawkers Association of Plaza Sri Muda Market in Section 25, Shah Alam, Selangor, is baffled by the large number of illegal immigrants who run stalls at the wet market.
Its chairman, Chandran Muniandy, said from the 100 stalls at the market, only five were operated by locals.
“We believe that more than 90 stalls are rented out to illegal immigrants, including those from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia.
“When we confronted them, some said they were renting the stalls.
“Every time issues concerning space management and cleanliness arise, these illegal
immigrants refuse to cooperate.”
Chandran, who has been running a poultry stall at the market for about 20 years, said the association had lodged complaints with the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), yet no action had been taken against them.
“The number of immigrants running businesses at the wet market is increasing every year, particularly over the past three to fours years.
“They are depriving locals of business and jobs. It is not fair for us to compete with these immigrants, who are running businesses without documents and permits.”
He said the authorities needed to investigate and conduct inspections at the wet market to nab illegal immigrants and those providing protection and renting out their stalls to immigrants.
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Immigration Department chief of enforcement, investigation and prosecution Saravana Kumar said it would carry out an operation at the market soon to arrest immigrants without documents.
Saravana urged the public to lodge complains with the department should they have information about immigrants living and working in
the country without documents.
MBSA corporate communication division head Shahrin Ahmad said the market was managed by a private company and that the council had no authority to take action against it, particularly concerning illegal immigrants.