KUCHING: Ten food premises under the supervision of the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) have been ordered to close by the Kuching Division Health Office for failing to meet cleanliness standards.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the closure of the seven coffee shops, two bakeries and one restaurant in Kota Sentosa, Stapok, Pusat Komersial Liang Kee, Pusat Komersial Golden Court, and Matang Jaya was for two weeks because they were found to be unclean and posed a danger to public health.
“Cockroaches and rat faeces were found in the food premises, besides obtaining a very low demerit score during the inspection by the Ministry of Health,” he said in a press conference at the MPP Building Wednesday (March 1).
At the same time, he said MPP would not hesitate to revoke the business licences of these individuals if their premises countinued to be dirty.
“The Health Department also has a demerit point system, whereby if the demerit score is very low, it will result in the closure of the food premises for two weeks.
“However, if it is still dirty after two weeks of closure, we will not hesitate to revoke their business licences,” he stressed.
Therefore, the Batu Kitang Assemblyman stated that the MPP and the Kuching Division Health Office would not compromise on matters relating to food safety and quality and public health in general.
“We will not hesitate to take firm action against food premises operators who neglect cleanliness and food safety aspects in their food.
“Action can be taken against them under the Local Authority Ordinance 1996 and the Public Health Protection Ordinance 1999.
“Meanwhile, the Kuching Division Health Office will take action under the Food Act 1983 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009,” he said.
Lo also urged customers who come across dirty food premises to step forward and make complaints.
