Politicians Interfering in Action Against Dirty Eateries

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Politicians have been interfering in Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) work to nab unhygienic restaurants, said Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

Recent offending eateries:

  • Raj’s Banana Leaf Restaurant in Bangsar had its operating licence revoked
  • Raju’s Restaurant, Sri Paandi Restaurant, Restoran Gasing ordered to be closed
  • Face to Face Noodle House, S One One Restaurant fined for dirty kitchens

He told The Star that he had received information from DBKL about politicians intervening when spot checks were conducted at eateries.

The interference came in the form of phone calls from politicians telling DBKL to retract closure notices on dirty restaurants, he said.

“The officers felt that the outlet owners must have called the politicians to plead for leniency,” Lim was quoted as saying.

Such complaints were common during his last two terms as Segambut MP, he added.

Lim’s statements follow DBKL’s revocation of Raj’s Banana Leaf Restaurant’s operating licence after workers at the Bangsar eatery were recorded on video washing plates in what appears to be dirty water next to a drain.

It was the first time DBKL had revoked a restaurant’s licence, according to Health and Environment Department director Dr Noor Akma Shabudin.

In Petaling Jaya, three eateries off Jalan Gasing were ordered to be closed by the Petaling Jaya City Council on June 5 until they rectified hygiene problems.

These included rat droppings and cockroaches on the floor and inside cupboards, the absence of grease traps, use of the back lane to cook and wash dishes, and dumping of wastewater into drains.

Two other restaurants, Face to Face Noodle House and S One One Restaurant, have also been fined by MMBPJ for dirty kitchens.

Lim said the actions of the politicians had “undermined the integrity of the council officers as well as the credibility of their operations”.

He reminded consumers that they had the power through boycotts and by naming and shaming on social media to get dirty eateries to be more responsible. – TMI


Related reports:

June 5, Famous Banana Leaf Restaurant Among Three PJ Eateries Ordered to Close

May 29, Viral Video: Raj’s Banana Leaf’s Dishes Washed in Murky Water in Back Lane