FT Ministry Overturns Ruling & Now Allows KL Restaurants To Open Until 2AM

The authorities are concerned that businesses have been incurring too much losses.

Cover image via Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail & Johor Now

Restaurants and convenience stores in Kuala Lumpur will now be allowed to operate until 2am, effective today, 14 September

According to New Straits Times, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the decision adopted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on 12 September to limit business operating hours until midnight has been reversed.

He said the latest stand taken by DBKL is in line with the earlier announcement made by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on 10 September to allow business operators nationwide to extend their operating hours until 2am.

Operating hours had been limited to midnight when the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) was first implemented.

The minister came to the decision after discussions with KL Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan who had received complaints from businesses incurring losses in the past few months

"I have discussed this matter with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham earlier. He had also voiced his concern over businesses that have been suffering for months since the Movement Control Order (MCO) took effect," Annuar told a press conference at the Bukit Kiara Public Park yesterday, 13 September.

"It is best to provide business operators with an opportunity to boost their income in line with the directive from the National Security Council (NSC) at the federal level."

Annuar Musa said DBKL will be detailing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that come along with the new operating hours today

"DBKL will announce the mode of implementation. I hope businesses will strictly adhere to the SOP and the closing time of 2am instead of remaining open till morning," he warned.

"Please, once the time is up, go home," he said, as quoted by Malay Mail.