Perak Tengah District Council cancels no diners before 3pm rule
The Perak Tengah District Council has cancelled a ruling that prohibited dine-in activities before 3pm at all food premises under its jurisdiction throughout Ramadan, a Perak exco member confirmed.
When contacted, Perak Housing, Local Council and Tourism exco Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi shared a statement from the council dated March 31 - several days before the start of the fasting month - that announced the cancellation of its original March 22 notice...
The Perak Tengah District Council has cancelled a ruling that prohibited dine-in activities before 3pm at all food premises under its jurisdiction throughout Ramadan, a Perak exco member confirmed.
When contacted, Perak Housing, Local Council and Tourism exco Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi shared a statement from the council dated March 31 - several days before the start of the fasting month - that announced the cancellation of its original March 22 notice.
"A notice prohibiting operations of food premises before 3pm throughout Ramadan, dated March 22, and issued by the Perak Tengah District Council, is cancelled.
"Therefore, all food premises can operate as normal subject to instructions from time to time," the statement said.
Complaints on the matter had earlier today made rounds on Twitter, along with a copy of the first notice, as it was alleged that the ruling was unfair to non-Muslims and those unable to fast.
"Maybe it (the cancellation) was a recent statement and so many (premises owners) are unaware," said Nolee, when it was pointed out that there were still eateries refusing to serve customers before 3pm.
She also said that each local council can have its own regulations as agreed by council members.
"The time permitted for dine-in operations may differ between districts," the Tualang Sekah assemblyperson told Malaysiakini when asked about the original notice issued to food premises operators.
Not intended for non-Muslim owners
According to the original notice signed by Perak Tengah district council president Mohd Syukri Azaari, eateries found to operate before 3pm will be deemed as having committed an offence under the district's by-law, punishable with an RM2,000 fine, maximum one year jail or both, and maximum RM200 fine for each day the offence is committed.
In a statement (below), Syukri said the notice that went viral was issued annually to Muslim food premise owners ahead of the Ramadan month.
He also clarified that the notice was not intended to involve non-Muslim owners of food premises.
But because confusion had arisen among netizens and the public on the letter, the council issued a notice of cancellation effective immediately from March 31.
However, all food premise owners and customers are advised to respect local sensitivities while fasting in this holy month," he said in extending an apology for any confusion that resulted from the ruling.
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