KL entertainment outlets to close at 1am to enhance family time, says FT minister
Syauqi Jamil
-November 29, 2018 4:08 PM
Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad.KUALA LUMPUR: Entertainment outlets in Kuala Lumpur will have to abide by the closing hours stated in their licence starting Jan 1 or face action, in a move to enhance family time.
Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would also review the operating hours of a few outlets that had been given special permission to open until 5am to cater to tourists but which had abused that privilege by allowing locals in.
This, he said, should be seen as a reminder to those in Kuala Lumpur to spend more time and money with their families rather than at entertainment outlets.
“We have a lot of entertainment outlets in Kuala Lumpur which are supposed to close by 1am according to their licence, but they disregard it. Many carry on until 5am in the morning,” he said at a press conference today.
“There are a very limited number of outlets that have been given special permission (to close after 1am) because most of their clients are foreigners. This is meant to cater to the tourists. But we find that most of the patrons are locals.
“We’ll review the outlets which have been given special permission to carry on until 3am or 5am, and see whether that special permission should still be given.”
He also warned outlet operators that the regulations would be strictly enforced.
Khalid was commenting on DBKL’s proposal on Monday to shorten the operating hours of entertainment outlets.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said the proposal was to limit operation hours for entertainment premises within the city centre until 1am.
Khalid said DBKL had received numerous complaints from the public about noise and other disturbances.
