Nasi lemak stall owner goes viral after calling out authorities — but was he really in the right?

Street food is the soul of Malaysia’s culinary scene. There’s something special about catching the aroma of sizzling delights as you pass roadside stalls. But people tend to forget that setting up such stalls requires a business permit.

Recently, this very issue made its way into the spotlight thanks to a viral TikTok video by user @ayamgoreng2budakgemok. In it, he shares his frustration over the fencing-off of his usual stall spot in at Jalan Gombak. 

During Ramadan, he claims he was already restricted from operating his nasi lemak stall, and now, the area has been officially closed off for such business by the local council. His side of the story? It’s not that he didn’t want to apply for a permit — it’s that his application was rejected.

So, who’s really at fault here?

Applying for a business permit isn’t as complicated as it may seem. The first step is to identify the relevant local authority — depending on where you plan to operate. 

This could be Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) or Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj), among others. Next, prepare your documents: typically, a copy of your IC and a clear indication of your intended business location. Applications can usually be done either manually or online.

But here’s the catch — just like you can’t park anywhere you like, not every roadside spot is suitable for a stall. Applications can be denied if your chosen location poses safety concerns, blocks traffic, or falls within a no-parking zone.

That might just be the situation for the stall owner in Gombak. Many netizens chimed in under the TikTok video, pointing out that the stall’s location wasn’t ideal and urging the seller not to lay the blame solely on the Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT).

So now we’re left with the big question: who’s in the wrong? Should the local authorities have shown a little leniency, considering his passion and persistence? Or is it time for the stall owner to scout for a safer, more regulation-friendly spot — even if it’s less convenient?

What’s your take on it?

Rat spotted sampling chicken at a Cheras mamak joint, prompts temporary closure