05/12/2008 Traders in sensitive businesses are unhappy about having to pay a hefty deposit to the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) for their licences. Assemblyman Mok Chek Hou (BN – Stulang) said the deposits ranged from RM2,000 to RM5,000 depending on the licence. He said the reasoning from MBJB was that the deposit was a way of controlling the business operators from flouting the rules and engaging in unsavoury practices. MBJB’s action, however, had resulted in protests and caused dissatisfaction among licence holders as the deposit was a burden to them, he said. Mok said the traders had said the deposit was unnecessary since, if business owners flouted the rules, MBJB could issue compounds or revoke their licences. “I feel their objections are reasonable and MBJB should not impose the deposit,” he said while debating the 2008 state Budget at the state assembly meeting here recently. Mok urged MBJB to review its action and stop the collection of deposits.
