During the 10am operation a team of 10 enforcement officers and five policemen including the head of Miri Central Police Station, Chief Inspector Nagulan Maniam, seized several items at the premises.

Among them were a computer, fax machine, several boxes of paper, and four plastic chairs.

Mayor Lawrence Lai said the order to seal the premises was the third one issued.

Business had continued at the premises even after two warnings.

"We received the directive from the Ministry of Environment and Public Facilities," he said when asked on the matter yesterday.

Apart from the premises at Jalan Bendahara, two other premises — one in Boulevard Commercial Centre and one in Morsjaya Commercial Centre - were also ordered to close down.

However, when the enforcement team arrived at the other two premises, they were already shuttered by the operators.