KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) must take firm action against locals who misuse their business licences by allowing foreigners to use them, and blacklist licence holders who commit the offence.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said said the move was necessary to curb unlicensed businesses operated by foreigners, particularly in the capital.

Yeoh said she had also instructed DBKL to step up enforcement operations to ensure business licences were issued to the actual applicants.

"If we discover that a Malaysian has obtained a business licence but sublets it to a foreigner, DBKL will revoke the licence.