The Raj’s Banana Leaf Restaurant in Bangsar has been ordered to close immediately following the viral video clip allegedly showing its workers washing dishes in a puddle or murky water behind the premises.

The closure notice issued by the Federal Territories Health Department took effect from 9.20am today until further notice.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Health and Environment Department deputy director Dr Chandrakant Patel said they were informed that the restaurant had a limited cleaning area, causing the workers having to wash the dishes behind the premises.

“We will carry out cleanliness inspections around the premises before contacting them for further action,” he told reporters today.

He said the restaurant had scored grade A in cleanliness after the inspection last year and the city hall had not received any complaint about such an activity taking place at the restaurant.

Approximately 10 enforcement officers from the DBKL, Labour Department and Health Ministry flocked the restaurant today to carry out inspections after receiving a report on the video clip which went viral since yesterday.

The 30-second video clip, which showed six of the restaurant workers washing dishes in a puddle of murky water behind the premises, had also been viewed by over 270,000 social media users over the past 24 hours.

The management of the restaurant, however, had issued an apology on its Facebook page and offered a complimentary buka puasa (breaking of fast) dinner at its Bangsar outlet on May 31.

- Bernama