Two businesses in Sungai Nibong were sealed and their equipment seized by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on 6 October for operating without valid local authority licences, the council said. The enforcement action, run under Ops Tegas, covered a food and beverage outlet and a barber shop along Jalan Tun Dr Awang, NST reported.
Officers from the council’s Licensing and Enforcement Departments carried out the inspection. During it, an undocumented foreign worker at one of the premises was unable to produce valid identification documents.
The operation began at 10.30am and drew in the council’s Special Actions Unit alongside the licensing and enforcement teams and its Corporate Communications and Public Relations Division (units named by The Capital Post).
MBPP then sealed both premises by restricting access through their main entrances and ordered all business activities to cease. It also seized business equipment used in the unlicensed operations. Written notices went to those claiming to be the operators or representatives of the premises, with the enforcement orders explained to them. “They were instructed not to remove or damage the barrier tape or seals, enter the premises for business purposes, or resume operations until nuisance-related issues and other matters had been resolved,” the council said in a Facebook post.
The council acted under Section 101(1)(v) of the Local Government Act 1976, which empowers local authorities to take the measures they consider necessary to safeguard public safety, health and convenience. It said enforcement would be intensified against parties operating without licences, breaching stipulated conditions or running activities that could cause nuisance or endanger public safety, health and comfort.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran told The Star that the council had already acted against flouting shops, including sealing premises for two weeks. “We have taken enforcement action a few times against these shops and even sealed the premises. The operation stops for some time but starts again because of demand. It is more obvious during weekends when foreign workers are on leave and come in large numbers,” he said. The mayor added that officers had monitored the premises for several weeks to gather evidence. “This time the action will be stiff,” he said.
The seals bar entry through the main entrances for business purposes, and the barrier tape and seals must stay in place until the council clears the matters raised in the notices. Until that happens, neither outlet may trade.
MBPP said the continued operations reflected its commitment to ensuring businesses within its jurisdiction operate lawfully, responsibly and in compliance with regulations.
