TREC says no complaints received about 5am clubbing hours
By Ida Lim
The Malay Mail Online17 January 2018
The TREC entertainment district is the only one in Kuala Lumpur allowed to operate until 5am, but the Kuala Lumpur mayor said the permitted operating hours may be shortened following police advice. ― Picture by Zuraneeza ZulkifliMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 ― Kuala Lumpur’s entertainment hub TREC said it has not received any complaints over bars and clubs there operating until 5am, adding that the extended operating hours complement a new neighbouring business district.
A spokesman for TREC said it features “over 40 entertainment and F&B brands in five zones, with many clubs and bars that open from between 3am and 5am in the week.”
“We have not received complaints over the operating hours… as TREC is well-contained and not located in close proximity to the residential districts,” the spokesman said in a written response yesterday to Malay Mail's enquiry.
“With a 5am operating license, TREC ― which is part of KL Tourism Master Plan 2015-2015 and falls under NKEA EPP8 programme ― is primed to be a great complement to the upcoming TRX business district located opposite TREC,” the spokesman added, referring to TREC's being a dedicated entertainment zone as an Entry Point Projects (EPP) for tourism ― one of Malaysia's National Key Economic Area (NKEA).
The 70-acre Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development is planned as a new international finance hub with a gross development value of RM40 billion, with features such as office space, residential units and a shopping mall.
Responding to questions on how TREC handles safety and security, the spokesman told Malay Mail that measures to ensure safety and security have always been enforced from the very first day when TREC opened in late 2015.
“We have a team of in-house security personnel, uniform guards and privately-engaged security patrolling the estate, on top of 24/7 CCTV surveillance.
“On special events, TREC's security team is further beefed up with additional manpower from private security firms.
“We believe in working closely with the relevant authorities on security and safety measures in regards to the estate, and we have been doing so,” the spokesman added.
On Monday, Malay Mail reported Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz saying that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be reviewing the operating hours of the TREC entertainment zone which was given special permission to operate until 5am.
He said that this move by DBKL follows the police's advice to shorten the operating hours, adding that this matter will be discussed with Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
He also said that a Cabinet paper will be required to shorten the hours as it was a Cabinet decision then to allow TREC to operate until 5am.
Mhd Amin said all designated entertainment areas such as Jalan P. Ramlee, Changkat Bukit Bintang and Sri Hartamas are allowed to operate until 3am, while those located out of the designated zone are allowed to operate only until 1am.
When contacted, TREC's tenant Zouk KL told Malay Mail that it has “no comments, as the matter has been reported and under review”, while directing questions on TREC outlets to TREC's management.
Zouk KL, which was last year ranked the top 21st club globally on DJ Mag's Top 100 Clubs list, was named on the TREC website as being the “only nightspot in the metropolis that has a 5am operating licence.”
According to Zouk KL's official Facebook page, the club opens daily at 10pm and closes at differing times of 3am (Sunday-Tuesday), 4am (Wednesday) and 5am (Thursday-Saturday).
Zouk KL had moved in August 2015 to its new premises in TREC which reportedly cost RM38 million to construct and is said to be one of the biggest clubs in the Asian region
