TUARAN, June 16 — Strict action will be taken against traders who lease out their business licence to third parties, especially foreigners in Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.

Stern action also awaits civil servants who issue licences to ineligible applicants, he said.

"Local authorities have regulations, and they must be complied with,” he said presenting appointment letters to 19 newly-appointed Tuaran district councillors here today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will revoke the business licences of hawkers and petty traders found to have leased them out to other parties, including foreigners.

Anwar said the government and DBKL were now looking into methods on how to ensure that regulations are complied with for the benefit of local traders and hawkers.

Meanwhile, in TAWAU, Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) president Joseph Pang when contacted by Bernama said the council was constantly monitoring and carrying out integrated operations with other departments, including the Immigration Department, to hawker sites and business premises.

"The number of hawkers registered according to the MPT licensing system is 2,613 and as of today the MPT has not received any complaints regarding the issue of ‘leasing out’ licences to foreigners,” he said. — Bernama