Don’t punish eateries over poor public infrastructure, says MP

KUALA LUMPUR: A member of Parliament has argued that eatery operators should not be solely held accountable for hygiene violations, particularly when such issues may stem from inadequate public infrastructure. Manndzri Nasib, a backbencher representing the Barisan Nasional in Tenggara, made this point during a discussion on the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026. He pointed out that problems like rat infestations and dirty drains may not be entirely the fault of the traders themselves.

Nasib cited data from January to April of this year, revealing that 177 food premises in Penang were ordered to close. He noted that 68.9% of these closures were due to pest control issues, such as rat infestations. The MP questioned how the health ministry could ensure that traders were not unfairly penalized for shortcomings in public facilities.

In addition to advocating for clearer guidelines and faster procedures for reopening businesses once hygiene issues are resolved, Nasib emphasized the importance of educating traders. He proposed a shift from punitive measures to a more educational approach in addressing these concerns.