‘Only 10 of 300 home businesses are registered’
HOME-BASED online businesses in Ampang Jaya, Selangor are being urged to register and apply for licences.
Having the required licences would make it easier for operators to apply for loans and grants to expand their businesses, said Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
Its president Dr Ani Ahmad said about 300 online businesses had been identified to be operating within its jurisdiction.
To date, only 10 have registered for the business licence.
“Those identified were called in for a briefing in December where we explained the requirements and processes to apply for the licence.
“Some said they were reluctant to register.
“They were concerned they would have to declare their businesses to the income tax department.”
Ani said the council tried to reassure entrepreneurs that legitimising their business had advantages including when they wanted to expand.
She added that the licence cost RM100 per year.
Selangor was the first state to establish a set of guidelines for licensing and registration for online businesses, which happened in March.
It was reported at the time that there were 41,148 online businesses registered in Selangor.
Ani said the licence requirements included operating without causing disturbances as well as enrolling in food-handling courses and being vaccinated against typhoid for food-related operations.
“Hygiene is also important. We will require them to submit photos and agree to spot checks to ensure their premises are clean.”
She said MPAJ aimed to have all home-based online businesses registered by next year.
Ani said this at the closing ceremony for the three-day Business Licence Renewal mini carnival at Menara MPAJ.
During the event, she said 3,000 participants joined various talks and briefings on topics that included digitalising businesses and maintaining clean premises.
MPAJ, she added, had collected RM3.39mil in licence renewals from 5,133 premises as of Dec 19.
About RM500,750 was collected from 4,087 micro traders through the E-Penjaja system.
