(Miri, 4th) Recently, the Miri City Council has taken enforcement actions to close certain stalls and confiscate property from some vendors, sparking public concern. In response, Miri Mayor Adam Yii clarified today that all enforcement actions strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), calling on the public not to be swayed by political manipulation or misleading statements, and to view the council's rectification efforts rationally.
He pointed out that before launching any enforcement action, the city council adopts a phased approach, including verbal persuasion, written warnings, and, only as a final step, enforcement procedures. Some cases are lengthy and even involve legal proceedings, which may lead the public to mistakenly believe the authorities are “doing nothing,” when in fact enforcement is being advanced according to legal procedures.
He cited recent enforcement as an example, stating that actions taken at the Boulevard BBQ stalls and Wireless Walk were all within the law, and not sudden enforcements, but rather the result of multiple unsuccessful attempts at persuasion.
He revealed that of the 12 BBQ stalls at Boulevard, seven faced enforcement actions due to violations of licensing regulations, including license revocation or equipment confiscation. The reasons ranged from subletting stalls for profit, employing illegal foreign workers, third-party operations, breaches of sanitation regulations, and even police involvement due to vendor disputes.
Adam Yii stated that the city council has continuously improved stall environments in recent years, investing in renovation and constructing public toilets at the request of residents, only for these facilities to be repeatedly vandalized, which is regrettable.
"A tiny minority of irresponsible people have deliberately damaged public property, seriously affecting the community's overall well-being. We have repeatedly sent warning letters and arranged dialogues for coordination, but most were ignored. To protect the rights of law-abiding vendors and maintain public order, the city council must enforce the law."
In response to accusations that enforcement is racially biased or politically motivated, Adam Yii sternly refuted these claims, publicly disclosing the ethnic composition of vendors whose licenses were revoked: 3 Iban, 2 Chinese, 1 Kelabit, and 1 Bidayuh, which is sufficient to prove that city council enforcement is not based on racial considerations.
"We administer the law without discrimination. Political or racial interpretations often originate from specific interest groups or affected parties aiming to divert attention and harm the city council’s image."
Apart from Boulevard, the Miri City Council is also working to rectify Wireless Walk. She explained this area was originally a project pushed by the former Tourism Minister, meant to become a market and tourist highlight. However, over the years, some licensed vendors have not operated, or have carried out unauthorized expansion, seriously impacting the environment and appeal.
"The council has offered many incentives, including license fee waivers, rent reductions, and communication arrangements, but some vendors have sublet their licenses, earning more than a thousand ringgit monthly in profit."
He gave an example: annual drink stall licenses cost only RM200, while food stall licenses cost RM450, yet some rent them out for RM1000 to RM1200 per month, which runs counter to the original intent of helping small vendors start their businesses.
"Such practices not only deprive those truly in need of opportunities, but also damage the market’s ecosystem and the city’s image."
Adam Yii emphasized that the council’s ultimate goal is to restore Wireless Walk’s former vibrancy, creating a more orderly and attractive market environment to boost tourism and economic development.
"We are not 'driving people away', but rather restoring order and assisting citizens who genuinely need to start businesses. We hope the public will support law-based rectification, and together build a clean, orderly, and vibrant Miri."
He pointed out that before launching any enforcement action, the city council adopts a phased approach, including verbal persuasion, written warnings, and, only as a final step, enforcement procedures. Some cases are lengthy and even involve legal proceedings, which may lead the public to mistakenly believe the authorities are “doing nothing,” when in fact enforcement is being advanced according to legal procedures.
He cited recent enforcement as an example, stating that actions taken at the Boulevard BBQ stalls and Wireless Walk were all within the law, and not sudden enforcements, but rather the result of multiple unsuccessful attempts at persuasion.
He revealed that of the 12 BBQ stalls at Boulevard, seven faced enforcement actions due to violations of licensing regulations, including license revocation or equipment confiscation. The reasons ranged from subletting stalls for profit, employing illegal foreign workers, third-party operations, breaches of sanitation regulations, and even police involvement due to vendor disputes.
Adam Yii stated that the city council has continuously improved stall environments in recent years, investing in renovation and constructing public toilets at the request of residents, only for these facilities to be repeatedly vandalized, which is regrettable.
"A tiny minority of irresponsible people have deliberately damaged public property, seriously affecting the community's overall well-being. We have repeatedly sent warning letters and arranged dialogues for coordination, but most were ignored. To protect the rights of law-abiding vendors and maintain public order, the city council must enforce the law."
In response to accusations that enforcement is racially biased or politically motivated, Adam Yii sternly refuted these claims, publicly disclosing the ethnic composition of vendors whose licenses were revoked: 3 Iban, 2 Chinese, 1 Kelabit, and 1 Bidayuh, which is sufficient to prove that city council enforcement is not based on racial considerations.
"We administer the law without discrimination. Political or racial interpretations often originate from specific interest groups or affected parties aiming to divert attention and harm the city council’s image."
Apart from Boulevard, the Miri City Council is also working to rectify Wireless Walk. She explained this area was originally a project pushed by the former Tourism Minister, meant to become a market and tourist highlight. However, over the years, some licensed vendors have not operated, or have carried out unauthorized expansion, seriously impacting the environment and appeal.
"The council has offered many incentives, including license fee waivers, rent reductions, and communication arrangements, but some vendors have sublet their licenses, earning more than a thousand ringgit monthly in profit."
He gave an example: annual drink stall licenses cost only RM200, while food stall licenses cost RM450, yet some rent them out for RM1000 to RM1200 per month, which runs counter to the original intent of helping small vendors start their businesses.
"Such practices not only deprive those truly in need of opportunities, but also damage the market’s ecosystem and the city’s image."
Adam Yii emphasized that the council’s ultimate goal is to restore Wireless Walk’s former vibrancy, creating a more orderly and attractive market environment to boost tourism and economic development.
"We are not 'driving people away', but rather restoring order and assisting citizens who genuinely need to start businesses. We hope the public will support law-based rectification, and together build a clean, orderly, and vibrant Miri."