He also removed the tape used by local authorities to seal the property.

“We are now operating,” he declared after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by 20 to 30 close friends.

Jamal added it was crucial for him to “reopen” the hotel as he had 44 workers.

“I am doing it to symbolise that it is still operating.”

The Sekin Fishermen Village Hotel and Resort here was sealed and 11 buildings that were in the process of being built were demolished by the Sabak Bernam District Council yesterday.

However, the main building was left intact.

The hotel was closed for operating illegally.

However, Jamal said the authorities should do the same for all illegal premises.

“There should not be any favouritism.”

He said action should be taken against all those who did not have a licence to do business in Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam and Sungai Besar.

“Slap a notice on all those operating illegally.”

He claimed there were many other businesses built on government reserve land here but no action had been initiated against them.

The Sungai Besar Umno division chief said his hotel resort was a family-run business and was the only hotel business run by a Malay.

“We have submitted plans to expand it to 300 rooms. But the authorities are not giving an approval.”

Jamal said he had submitted papers for a licence to run his business 10 years ago but had not received any feedback from the local authorities.

“Why? It is because of political inteference.