Screenshot from the viral video involving an altercation between MPAJ personnel and traders at Taman Lembah Maju A in Ampang.
THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) says accusations of bias levelled against its officers in a viral video are false.
The video showed an altercation between MPAJ personnel and several people during an inspection at a row of stalls constructed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) concept at Taman Lembah Maju A, Ampang, Selangor.
The video showed MPAJ’s officers being questioned aggressively on their alleged preferential treatment and for not taking action against a stall manned by a foreign worker.
A woman was also heard accusing one of the officers of soliciting bribes.
MPAJ said in a statement that the accusations were baseless and that there was no misuse of power as all traders were being monitored during the incident.
“The council held a gotong-royong programme at the stalls on Aug 14 at 9am,” said the statement.
“All stalls were checked on the nature of their business, status of their licence as well as condition of their premises.
“The traders were also briefed on compliance with licence conditions as well as water and electricity issues.
“They were also asked to provide four rubbish bins at the trading site.”
The statement said during the programme, one of the trader’s children provoked MPAJ personnel.
“The children belittled the officers who were carrying out their duties and prevented them (by touching one officer’s body) from inspecting the premises,” said MPAJ, adding that the programme ended at noon.
“On Aug 15 at 9am, MPAJ officers went to the site for monitoring and inspection purposes.
“At 4pm on the same day, MPAJ officers returned to the site to inspect and take photographs of grease traps.
“The officers were verbally abused and prevented from carrying out their duties.”
The statement said that at 9.30pm on the same day, MPAJ officers went back to the trading site, this time to inspect stalls that were not open in the morning, and took enforcement action.
“Several compounds were issued against traders for operating without licences and for hiring foreign workers.
“The children of one of the traders who received a compound provoked and obstructed MPAJ officers from carrying out their duties,” said the statement, which added that MPAJ had lodged a police report on the matter. — By VIJENTHI NAIR
