HAVING an eclectic menu or a unique decor can help a restaurant stand out from the competition.
However, one Melaka establishment took the concept of a theme restaurant to a new and bizarre level.
Is it true that this outlet was shut down for transforming its premises into a petting zoo?
Verdict:
TRUE
A noodle restaurant that has gone viral on social media for featuring an alpaca and goats alongside other animals as entertainment for customers has been ordered to close for seven days and fined RM10,250 by the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB).
MBMB Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said that the closure order, effective Monday (Sept 22) until Sept 28, was issued after the outlet was found to have violated the council's guidelines.
The restaurant owner was fined RM10,000 under the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment 2001 and an additional RM250 under the MBMB Food Establishment By-laws 2020.
"We have also issued a notice requiring the owner to close the restaurant for a week to carry out cleaning works and to remove all animals kept inside the premises," said Datuk Shadan Othman.
"It's also for hygienic purposes," he said.
Checks revealed that MBMB issued a food business licence in April of this year but from June the owner gradually introduced 23 animals.
The animals included an alpaca, goats, ducks, geese, rabbits and 15 cats.
He said that turning the restaurant into an animal exhibition site is strictly prohibited.
Shadan noted that the alpaca was placed in a separate section on the ground floor at certain times.
The other animals were kept upstairs, effectively turning the outlet into a "mini petting zoo."
"This is the first case we have encountered of a restaurant operating in this manner," said Datuk Shadan Othman.
"The business licence clearly states that no animals are allowed to be kept within shops or restaurants," he added.
MBMB enforcement officers talking to representative of the noodle restaurant turned petting zoo.
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