Tanjong MP sparks debate over refusal to pay 10% service charge

PETALING JAYA: Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik’s (pic) refusal to pay the 10% service charge at a chain cafe in Penang recently has caused much debate on social media, according to reports.

Some have supported his actions, while others found it an unsavoury move.

Alifjandro Mokhtar, on Facebook, criticised Ng for depriving the outlet’s workers of their bread and butter, as the RM7 service charge was their additional income.

“As an MP, you’re supposed to represent people. Why you silent over pay rise among you MPs and shout out loud about RM7 given?” he questioned.

Also heavily circulated on social media was a crossed-out photo of Ng stuck on the entrance of an unknown restaurant, stating that the eatery refused to serve him.

On his Facebook, Ng had called for a boycott of all food and beverage (F&B) businesses that imposed service charge until they buckled and dropped the fee.

“No service charge shall be imposed by the F&B outlets and all service operators if the service charge is imposed on their core business,” he added.

Ng urged other Malaysians to ask for the removal of the 10% service charge from the cafe’s tax invoice, even if the establishment had put up a notice informing customers of the impending charge.

When contacted, Ng refused to comment on the matter and stressed that he was merely upholding consumers’ rights when he refused to pay the service charges.

It was previously reported that Ng refused to pay the 10% service charge at the cafe.

He marked a cross on the notice placed by the operator on the wall - which stated that the cafe was charging 10% service charge - before he left the premises.

The reports stated that Ng did concede to offer the cafe manager RM1.50 as a tip.

However, she declined it.

Commenter Ochubi Lim, who found the move a cheap publicity ploy,  pointed out that it was not the first time Ng had pulled off such a stunt.

The statement was in reference Ng’s outburst in January, where he kicked up a fuss and refused to pay an RM10 parking fee because a parking machine sign said only RM5 would be charged.

However, parking attendants said the basement parking rates differed, and pointed out another clear sign imposing the RM10 charge for the level where Ng parked his car.

The video can be viewed here.