SHAH ALAM, Jan 10 — Strict action, including permit cancellation and asset seizure, will be taken against anyone involved in fraud over Ramadan bazaar trader lots, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said.
It confirmed receiving complaints about such fraud attempts and the illicit selling of Ramadan bazaar lots in Petaling Jaya.
“Integrated checks will be done at these sites with technical agencies, and MBPJ will not compromise in taking firm action, including by cancelling permits and confiscating (assets) if the complaints prove true,” it told Media Selangor.
MBPJ said that permit applications for Ramadan bazaars under its jurisdiction have been fully online since 2020, via its official portal, eLesen MBPJ.
It added that the council provides assistance counters at the Menara MBPJ lobby to help applicants facing difficulties, especially senior citizens and those without internet access.
“To prevent the involvement of agents or middlemen, MBPJ has established several control mechanisms, including a requirement to register with a legitimate identity card number, phone number, and email address.
“Successful applicants are required to be physically present at the Ramadan bazaar briefing and balloting sessions for fingerprint verification, which prevents third-party misuse,” MBPJ said.
Meanwhile, the Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) said it, too, offers fully online Ramadan bazaar and Raya expo permit applications to improve transparency and efficiency and prevent the involvement of middlemen.
“So far, MDSB hasn’t received any complaints on fraud attempts of bazaar lot sales in areas under MDSB’s jurisdiction.
“However, MDSB advises traders to only use official MDSB channels, not make payments to unknown individuals, and immediately report any fraud attempts to MDSB,” the council said.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged local councils to avoid using agents or middlemen to register Ramadan bazaar trader lots.
He said local councils should follow in the footsteps of MBPJ, which has its Ramadan bazaar trader application system fully online, thus improving transparency and lowering traders’ costs.
