KUCHING: Sarawak Health Department has the backing of the public in its mission to ensure cleanliness of eateries statewide.
Majority of the respondents in an interview by New Sarawak Tribune strongly agreed with the emphasis on cleanliness at eateries as this would make an everlasting positive impression on customers and make them come back to the eateries often.
Yes, people go to eateries just to eat but there are times that customers judge the eateries by their cleanliness and facilities such as toilets, tables and chairs and not only by their food menus.
Most people are displeased by dirty shop facilities and will not return to dirty eateries.
A respondent Julian Faylona, 32, agreed positively with the Health Department’s mission to ensure cleanliness at eateries.
“This should really be enforced as it is essential in keeping the eateries clean and making customers feel comfortable,” he said.
Julian said heavy penalties should be imposed on eateries with dirty toilets, especially after a check by Health Department officers.
Another respondent Braydan Chin, 21, commended the Health Department for ensuring the cleanliness of eateries as it is beneficial for the business and customers.
“I am personally not sure whether heavy penalties should be imposed if the eateries are not clean as we are living in a challenging and difficult world.
“However, if the Health Department decides to impose them, I will support it,” he said.
Matthew Eden, 58 strongly agreed with the Health Department’s mission to ensure cleanliness at eateries.
He revealed that he and his family had stopped patronising an eatery because of its dirty toilets.
He also agreed that heavier penalties should be imposed on eateries with dirty toilets.
Matthew added that there was no need for the grading system at eateries.
“What the Health Department must do is to check on their cleanliness regularly,” he said.
Fourth respondent Putri Wardina Safiyyah, 27, said that she agreed with the Health Department’s mission.
She added that business owners should not conduct their business near dirty drains or next to the garbage dumps which posed serious health hazard.
She pointed out that she preferred to see the waiters and waitresses appropriately attired and suggested that eateries impose anti-littering rules on customers.
“The toilets must be kept clean and dry at all times and there must also be useful toiletries in them,” she said.
Another respondent Mohd Along, 35, gave his support to the Health Department for ensuring the cleanliness in eateries.
“Even after the customers complained about the condition of their eateries, most of the time the operators do nothing about it.
“The quality of the food and the surrounding matter if the customers are to fully enjoy their meals,” he said.
Mohd added food stall operators had to start thinking about the environment instead of just the food in order for Sarawak’s food industry to move forward.
