‘Eateries can stay open 24/7’

KUALA LUMPUR: Restaurants and eateries will be allowed to operate round the clock with no restrictions on their business hours.

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister himself, who said the Government had taken heed of public feedback and deci­ded against curbing the existing operating hours.

“Those who own businesses that open 24 hours will receive their rezeki (good fortune) from the business.

“If we restrict the hours, it will cause inconvenience to many people,” Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters after distributing bubur lambuk outside Masjid Jamek in Kampung Baru here yesterday.

On the suggested move by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Najib said it was just a proposal by a minister and it was up to the Government to decide.

At the event, about 100 people lined up outside the mosque after asar prayers to collect the free broth and meet the Prime Minister.

Najib spent 15 minutes distribu­ting the Ramadan fare before visiting the nearest bazaar.

Last Thursday, Shahidan said a proposal would be submitted to the Government to ban 24-hour restaurants and eateries, excluding franchised outlets such as McDonald’s and KFC, in residential and rural areas to curb social ills.

The proposal to close by midnight provoked an outcry among food operators and patrons, who said it was impractical and not the real cause of social ills.

They added that such 24-hour outlets were entrenched in our local culture and a Malaysian attraction.