Do other countries have 'chengguan'?

philiploh (Malaysia)

In Malaysia we have the equivalent that is the Council Enforcement Officers. The police enforce the law of the country while the CEO enforces the Councils' by-laws usually regarding licensing.

Every council has by-laws usually on licensing, building construction and parking.

The errant or unlicensed vendors are usually given a 'compound ticket' with the specific amount to be paid at the Councils office. If the vendors refuse to pay, they will have to appear in the Magistrate Court.

Most of the time errant vendors either run to avoid the officers or pay the compound when they are caught. Repeated offenders have their wares confiscated to be presented later as evidence in court.

Things get ugly when the officers are accused of being unfair, corrupt or confiscating the wares without giving the vendors a list of items taken away. Sometimes the officers are attacked by disgruntled groups.

Streets peddlers prowl the nights trying to make a living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, January 4, 2014.

The original post: http://blog.chinadaily.com.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=869460&highlight=chengguan