SIBU: Some 13 coffee shops here appear to be operating illegally as they have yet to be issued licences by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
General Purpose and Community Services Standing Committee chairperson Donna Petrus Ngelai said most of the coffee shops have not received their licences since approval is pending from the Fire Department regarding fire safety requirements.
“Some of the unlicensed coffee shops are operating in non-commercial areas, such as housing areas, for which they need approval from the Land and Survey Department.
“As they are not in commercial areas, we (SMC) cannot issue permits to them. We are trying to engage in dialogues with the coffee shop operators.
“We understand that they have made significant investments in their businesses, which is why SMC is doing its best to assist them in getting their licences approved,” she said.
She was speaking to reporters during a joint inspection conducted by the SMC Public Health, Environment and Municipality Services Standing Committee, SMC General Purpose and Community Services Standing Committee and enforcement, last night (Oct 23).
SMC Public Health, Environment, and Municipality Services Standing Committee vice chairman Yiing Sy Huat said their team was assessing the level of hygiene and cleanliness.
“This marks the fourth time we have conducted inspections (this year), but it is the first time we carried out operations at night, as many coffee shops only operate during the night time,” he said.
During the inspection on 24 coffee shops in the town’s commercial area on Oct 23, two operators were fined for not having permits for using the five-foot way and for cleanliness, while three operators were issued warning letters due to the expiration of their permits for the use of the five-foot way.
