THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will soon be able to close down eatery outlets for failing to meet the hygiene requirements.
MBPP councillor Wong Yuee Harng said the council, from Nov 1 onwards, would be able to order the closure of dirty eateries.
“Currently, such premises can only be closed by the district Health Offices. The council can only issue compounds.
“The MBPP Public Health Committee has approved the Food Establishment Closure (Penutupan Establisymen Makanan) proposal under the Food Establishment by-law on Sept 19.
“The council has also agreed to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Food Establishment Closure.
“From Nov 1 onwards, the MBPP can close an eatery outlet between three and 14 days if the premises did not meet the hygiene requirements.
“The council has the authority to confiscate the necessary exhibits and proceed with legal action should the premises ignores the order to close,” he told a press conference after the MBPP meeting today.
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said currently, the council and the district Health Offices carry out operations together.
“We can issue the compounds, while the district Health Offices can order the closure.
“But from Nov 1 onwards, we are able to cover more grounds with the additional authority.
“We can still carry out operations with the district Health Offices, or we can also carry out operations on our own as we can order the shutdown,” he said.
Yew said the council strived to improve the cleanliness of eatery outlets in the state.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud