KUALA LUMPUR: Six months ago, the authorities, led by the police's General Operations Force, carried out a massive operation to weed out undocumented migrants in Jalan Silang here.
The street is called mini-Dhaka as it is a hub of foreigner-operated shops.
Many of these shops are licensed to Malaysians who lease the premises to foreigners who run the businesses, a practice called "Ali Baba".
After the operation six months ago, which looked like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, Jalan Silang was deserted for the next few days. It did not stay that way for long.
Checks by the New Straits Times found that foreign businesses were soon back as if the crackdown never happened.
Foreigners operate all kinds of businesses, including textile, groceries, mobile phones and toys, as well as food stalls and butchers.
Several foreign men were seen selling fish from cooler boxes by the roadside.
But this is not a problem that's confined to Kuala Lumpur.
In Kuantan's Jalan Bukit Ubi and Jalan Tun Ismail, foreign workers throng sundry shops and eateries manned by their countrymen.
Malaysian-owned businesses close by 7pm, but those run by foreigners receive a steady stream of customers late into the night, raising concerns among residents.
"They manage grocery stores selling vegetables, essential items and fruits," said Lim Seng, himself a fruit seller.
"Residents own the businesses here and rent their licence to foreigners.
"The authorities conducted an operation several weeks ago, but no action was taken and the traders are operating as usual," he said.
Housewife Salmiah Samad, 32, wants the authorities to come down hard on foreign-run businesses, which she claims have "conquered" parts of Kuantan.
"It is time for the authorities to conduct a large-scale inspections of business premises and shut down those operating illegally," she said.
In George Town, residents are frustrated about the presence of foreign traders in Jalan Gurdwara, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Penang, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Batu Ferringhi and Persiaran Karpal Singh.
Leah, 40s, a local business owner on Jalan Gurdwara, said George Town had significantly changed due to the influx of foreign traders.
"I walked into one of the grocery stores and found it to be cramped.
"Some of these stores sell raw chicken, and when they transfer the poultry from the lorry or car to their shops, there's fluid and sometimes blood dripping. They just leave it as it is."
Cheng, a retiree in his 60s, said some foreign-run shops on Jalan Datuk Keramat and Jalan Gurdwara were murky and smelly.
In Kota Baru, foreigners are setting up businesses in villages and main roads, selling everything from fruits, sundries, carpets, and furniture, and some have even set up car washes.
"At the Wakaf Che Yeh night market, many businesses are owned by foreigners," said trader Hussin Abdullah, claiming this was also the case in Kampung Kota and Jalan Pekeliling.
He said many of these foreigners were married to residents and used their Malaysian spouse's name on their signboards.
In Johor Baru, traders say foreign-run businesses, including unlicensed ones, undermine local, tax-paying businesses.
Cafe operator Din said one of the most common "Ali Baba" businesses was "Kedai Acheh", which he described as "all-in-one tuck shops".
He said many products sold at "Kedai Acheh" were usually expired, raising concerns about quality and safety.
Din said he was concerned that workers at foreign-owned eateries might not have the vaccinations required by the authorities.
Johor Gemilang Malay Vendors and Small Traders secretary-general M.T.S. Qairy Maheran said local traders were impacted by the growing number of illegal foreign traders.
"They do not contribute to the economy, they do not spend in Johor, and get their products from their home countries. Their profits are sent back home."
He said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees card holders ran businesses.
"Those staying in flats do not patronise the local-owned shops below because these card-holders peddle goods door to door," he said.
In Kulim, Kedah, however, residents said there were no more foreigners doing business there following raids. - Additional reporting by T.N. Alagesh, Audrey Dermawan, Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah and Ahmad Mukhsein Mukhtar
