Gombak Food Seller Upset After Losing Business Spot to Roadside Fencing, Blames Permit Issues
A local nasi lemak vendor in Gombak has gone viral after voicing his frustration over a fencing project that forced him to stop operating his roadside stall — once again.
Shared via TikTok account @ayamgoreng2budakgemok, the vendor shows fences being installed along the pedestrian walkway on Jalan Gombak where he had been operating. The fencing now separates the road from the walkway, preventing cars from stopping to buy food — effectively killing the convenience factor that roadside stalls are known for.
In his video, the vendor said this isn’t the first time he’s been forced to relocate.
“We Wanted a Permit, But You Refused to Give It!”
Visibly emotional, the vendor says:
“It’s not like we refused to get a licence or permit — you just didn’t want to issue one!”
Although he didn’t name the authority directly, the statement was assumed to be directed at the local council.
Netizens were quick to point out that no council would issue a permit for a stall that blocks a pedestrian walkway, suggesting the vendor may have misunderstood the proper licensing process. Still, the vendor insisted he had tried to follow the rules, but had been met with rejection and forced to move multiple times. He claimed the fencing project began just before Ramadan and since then, he hadn’t been able to conduct business.
Vendor Slammed for Racial Comments in Second Video
In a follow-up video, the seller made a controversial statement linking his struggle to his race.
“Look at our fate as Malays. I’m not angry, I just consider this a test from God.”
Some netizens criticised him for framing the issue through a racial lens. One commenter said, “This isn’t about race, it’s about legality.” To this, the vendor responded:
“I said Malay because I’m Malay. If I was another race, I’d mention that race.”
The racial undertones didn’t sit well with many Malaysians, who emphasised that rules about business permits apply to everyone, regardless of background.
