{
  "id": 12848312,
  "title": "Don’t punish eateries over poor public infrastructure, says MP",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/dont-punish-eateries-over-poor-public-infrastructure-says-mp-12848312",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T10:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/08/don-t-punish-eateries-over-poor-public-infrastructure-says-mp"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tenggara MP Manndzri Nasib argues that eatery operators should not always bear full responsibility for hygiene violations, particularly when caused by poor public infrastructure. During a debate on the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026, Nasib highlighted issues like rat infestations and dirty drains that could stem from inadequate local authority maintenance. He questioned why traders alone should face losses and have their premises shut down, citing that 68.9% of the 177 food premises ordered to close in Penang this year were linked to pest control problems. Nasib urged the health ministry to ensure traders aren't unfairly penalised and called for clearer guidelines and faster procedures to allow small food businesses to reopen once hygiene issues are addressed. He emphasized the importance of educating traders instead of solely punishing them.",
  "summary": "BN's Manndzri Nasib says that, in some cases, hygiene issues are caused by poorly maintained public drainage systems.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Don’t punish eateries over poor public infrastructure, says MP",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/dont-punish-eateries-over-poor-public-infrastructure-says-mp",
        "published": "2026-10-08T10:02:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}