The Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT), Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) and Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said they would not compromise with business operators selling contraband especially cigarettes and liquor, warning them that their business licences would automatically be revoked.

Kuala Terengganu mayor Datuk Mohamad Kamil Othman said there would not be any compromise in taking action and MBKT had revoked the licences of shops caught selling contraband items.

MPS president Datuk Abd Halim Abd Latif said business operators found selling contraband such as cigarettes and liquor would automatically have their business licences revoked.

“Apart from contraband, we will also revoke the licences of any outlet which sells imitation or fake goods,” said Abd Halim, who is also Nilai Municipal Council president.

MPPD president Datuk Ab Khalid Mat said the council’s by-laws allowed it to revoke the licences of any businesses which flouted licensing conditions.

“This is not limited to the selling of contraband liquor and cigarettes.

“If the operators violated any of the licensing conditions, we are empowered to act immediately and can revoke their licences on the spot,” he said.

MBPJ licensing director Sharinaz Samsudin said the council had revoked business licenses at premises selling contraband items.

“However, items such as cigarettes and alcohol will be confiscated by the Customs Department,” he said.

The Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif said it had not revoked the licences of outlets caught selling contraband cigarettes.

“The sale of prohibited goods is not listed in the licensing terms and the offence of selling contraband cigarettes falls under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Licensing and Petty Traders Management Department director Ibrahim Yusof said although DBKL had no specific by-laws to act against those selling contraband items; there was a condition attached in the traders business licence prohibiting the sale of contraband items.

“If traders are caught selling contraband goods, a 14-day notice will be issued to them to clear the items.

“If the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry confirms the trader is still selling the items, we will revoke the licence,” said Ibrahim.

Johor Baru mayor A. Rahim Nin said there were no specific instructions from the state government to revoke the licences of outlets selling contraband items like cigarettes or alcohol.

A. Rahim said that it was under the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry’s jurisdiction to conduct spot checks and raid premises selling contraband.

The Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Shah Alam City Council, Klang Municipal Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Kajang Municipal Council, Kuantan Municipal Council, Ipoh City Council, Penang Island City Council, Alor Star Municipal Council and Sungai Petani Municipal Council said they do not take action against shops selling contraband items as it was under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

However, most of the local governments said they would consider revoking business licences of shops selling contraband if such request was made by enforcement agencies.