ANWAR ADVISES LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO AVOID USING AGENTS FOR RAMADAN BAZAAR BUSINESS PERMIT

PETALING JAYA, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged local authorities (PBTs) to refrain from using agents or middlemen in Ramadan bazaar business permit registration.

Instead, he suggested that local authorities follow the example of Petaling Jaya City Council (MPBJ) which implemented online Ramadan bazaar registration, thus increasing transparency and reducing the cost burden on traders.

According to Anwar, the online registration method is not only more orderly, but can also curb the practices of certain parties who take advantage by charging additional fees for personal gain.

"The Ramadan bazaar is an opportunity for the people, especially at the grassroots level, to run businesses to earn an extra income. So local authorities should cooperate so that the process is more orderly and avoid people who charge commissions.

"We are fighting (corruption) at the top level, but below it is still raging. I see from the paper that was presented to us about the Petaling Jaya experience, it needs to be used as an example, online registration and open as much as possible," he said.

He told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Jumhuriah Mosque, Taman Dato Harun in Petaling Jaya with approximately 2,000 worshippers.

Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also instructed local authorities to provide clean and proper facilities throughout the month of Ramadan.

Anwar said that if the local authorities and the state government could provide good cooperation, he would discuss with Housing and Local Government Minister (KPKT) Nga Kor Ming to improve basic facilities including water supply and cleanliness, especially in the Ramadan bazaar area.

At the same time, he reminded the public to always maintain cleanliness following the implementation of the Community Service Order (PKM) under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) for the offence of littering, which came into force yesterday.

“So if you commit the offence of littering, action will be taken including prosecution and fines,” he said.

Muslims in Malaysia will be celebrating Ramadan 1, which marks the beginning of the fasting month on Feb 19.

-- BERNAMA