Mayor Maimunah Sharif said DBKL was consistently acting to address the issue of foreign traders, in tandem with other enforcement agencies including the immigration department, police, and health ministry.

“We are taking firm action – this is not a case of turning a blind eye to the problem. But the public must understand that the presence of undocumented foreigners is not under DBKL’s jurisdiction.

“That falls under the authority of the immigration department, which is why we always conduct joint operations on the ground,” she told a press conference after an event here today.

She said one of the key hotspots targeted in these operations was the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market, adding however that raids were also “discreetly and strategically” carried out in other areas.

Maimunah also urged traders not to abuse the business licences issued by DBKL, particularly by renting or selling them to foreigners.

“This ‘Ali Baba’ practice is one of the reasons foreign traders continue to operate freely – DBKL licences being used by others. I urge all local traders not to be complicit. This is a shared responsibility,” she said.

Social media users had questioned DBKL’s action against local balloon vendor Za’imuddin Azlan, who sustained injuries during a scuffle with enforcement officers late last month.

Many asked why DBKL was not taking action against foreign nationals operating businesses in the capital instead.

Za’imuddin’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid Ali, said last Sunday that his client was still considering whether to take legal action against the DBKL enforcement officers.

Rafique said Za’imuddin had also lodged a police report following the incident, which occurred along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman on March 28.

When asked to comment, Maimunah said DBKL was giving the police full latitude to investigate the three enforcement officers involved.

She said she had been informed that the case is now in the final stages of investigation, and that she would not make any statements until the probe was complete.