THE Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA) has called for stronger and more regular enforcement against retail outlets selling illicit cigarettes while insisting that the trade remains widespread in many neighbourhoods and is often fronted by foreign workers.
“Our members see it every day. Customers finish their coffee in our outlets and buy cheap cigarettes just a few doors away, often from a foreign worker behind the counter,” claimed the association’s president Wong Teu Hoon.
“We run our businesses by the rules and pay our taxes but we simply cannot compete with those prices.”
Established in 1947, MSCSPGA currently has 44 affiliates and 20,000 members throughout Malaysia and Singapore. Its primary role is to protect the rights and businesses of its members.
The concern is reflected in a Wawasanex survey in May 2026 in which 68.8% of illicit cigarette buyers named migrant workers as the main sellers while 99% said illicit cigarettes were easy or very easy to obtain.
Against this backdrop, the government has taken steps to tighten action against illegal trade.
In this regard, MSCSPGA welcomed Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh’s directive for the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to revoke and blacklist the licences of Malaysians who sublet them to foreigners in line with the Prime Minister’s call in June for a nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign-run businesses.
The association also urged other local authorities to take similar approach against outlets caught selling illicit cigarettes.
Recent enforcement operations against these foreign-run outlets have resulted in business closures.
In Kuala Selangor, three premises were ordered to close with 18 compounds issued during a joint operation by Kuala Selangor Municipal Council, Customs and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry targeting foreign-run businesses.
MSCSPGA further lauded the Government’s RM1.1 bil allocation under Budget 2027 to strengthen enforcement agencies.
In its view, the added resources should go towards more regular inspections and business licence checks with firm action against repeat offenders, including closure permitted by law.
“We welcome the additional support for enforcement. Customs has identified cases where foreign workers are being used to sell illicit cigarettes,” asserted MSCSPGA.
“In addition to closing down these outlets, the authorities need to look beyond those behind the counter and trace the people supplying and profiting from the trade. Everyone involved must be held accountable.”
The association also welcomed the Health Ministry’s (MOH) MyLapor feature on MySejahtera which allows the public to report violations under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
This is where MSCSPGA urged MOH to publish the registry of legally registered cigarette brands so retailers can tell which products are legal.
“We need lasting results, not one-off raids,” stressed the association.
“When an outlet is caught, there must be follow-up checks to make sure it doesn’t simply re-open under another name or another licence. That’s how honest coffeeshop operators can compete on fair terms.” – Oct 31, 2026
