Are you a fan of the 24-hour mamak stall? Be afraid. Be very afraid.
The Federal Government has received a proposal to crack down on 24-hour eateries, with the rationale that allowing Malaysians to congregate at all hours of the day leads to social ills.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim (he of “slave camps could make really nice tourist destinations” fame) said the proposal was submitted after complaints arose that the all-day restaurants were causing social ills acorss the country.
“A note and proposal paper will be submitted to the Deputy Prime Minister and National Social Council,” he said outside Parliament today, as quoted by The Star Online‘s Martin Carvalho.
Interestingly, Shahidan clarified that the proposed ban will not apply to every 24-hour restaurant currently operating.
“It is not a blanket ban on all restaurants or eateries but those in specific areas such as in housing and rural areas.”
He also gave assurances that major fast food franchises such as McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, both of whom have 24-hour outlets, would not be included in the ban.
Maybe because people who eat Big Macs and a Thrift Plate at 3am aren’t as “socially ill” as people having a plate of mee goreng ayam telur atas? We’re not sure.
Shahidan also said that Malaysia was probably the only country on the planet with restaurants open at all times of the day.
“But it’s different here due to the presence of many who require the services of this industry, such as tourists, foreign migrants and so on. The leeway has contributed to social ills.
“There are concerns that the young spend too much idle time in such places and get involved in unhealthy activities,” he said.
He also suggested that 24-hour restaurants be confined to specific zones in order to not disrupt residential areas.
Better stock up on the Maggi, just in case you can’t find anything to eat after hours.
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