Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government is considering an 'anti-Ali Baba' law to curb the activity of renting premises to foreigners at will.
The law will further regulate property owners found to be abusing their business licenses leading to overcrowding of foreigners in the country.
Through his platform on social media X, the law will apply to Malaysians who allow 'Ali Baba' licenses to foreign companies without meeting the business conditions.
He said again, this problem has become a cancer in society after almost many years of foreigners monopolizing certain sectors and causing local people to have less interest in working in those sectors.
The issue is a national issue, not an immigration issue. The problem stems from the attitude of employers who think Malaysians are less interested in fulfilling the business sector and absorb more energy than foreigners.
It's an effect we've been dealing with for decades. As the number of foreigners increases, local premises owners will start renting out premises and giving licenses in an 'Ali Baba' style for them to do business.
Last December 21, a total of 1,101 foreigners were arrested for various immigration offenses through a coordinated operation involving several enforcement agencies in Jalan Silang, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Allaudeen Abdul Majid reportedly said the operation was conducted by 1,138 personnel including from the Central Brigade General Operations Force, Federal Reserve Force, Royal Malaysian Customs, Immigration Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Meanwhile, Rafizi said steps were being taken to reform the labor market through the implementation of progressive wages, training in the industry and finalizing the levy system at various levels to reduce the number of foreign workers.
The Ministry of Economy drafted the Malaysia Plan which finalized the target of a gradual reduction of foreign workers by 2030 through the 13th Malaysia Plan.
