New Business Hours Evoke Mixed Response
By Dina Junaidi

Bandar Seri Begawan - The public has offered different perspectives regarding the issue of the new business hours in the sultanate. Although yesterday many of them sounded negative during an interview with The Brunei Times, they have also made an effort to construct some neutral views on the issue.

Hjh Sara Omar, a business owner, said that it is safe to open restaurants or cafes after midnight as long as it does not lead to any social problems for the youth. Adding to that, she also said that the matter of social problems relating to young people actually depend on individuals themselves.

"My daughters always go to sleep around seven to eight in the evening but they usually wake up at midnight to study and surf the Internet to do their research. So the cafes providing Internet services after midnight can be useful for the people who do not have Internet at home," she said.

Another concerned parent said that there surely are pros and cons of the newly imposed business hours. "Since the restaurants and cafes in Brunei are not allowed to sell alcohol or offer other illegal services then there should not be a problem to run 24-hour cafes," he said.

However, he also mentioned the problem of young people falling prey to social ills in the country and that is probably why this matter is brought up by, the authorities.

On the other hand, a young public sector employee said that personally he would oppose the issue. "This matter could bring down the small businesses in the country such as the 24-hour nasi katok stalls which are trying to generate extra income and it would also mean less opportunity for the young people to gather around," he said.

Despite that, he said that there are benefits also of the new order.

"Obviously if cafes are closed down at midnight, there would not be much of the young people going out late in the night and in a way, it can prevent them from falling prey to social ills," he added.

However, when a relevant authority who wished to remain anonymous was contacted by The Brunei Times, said that the matter is not actually a new order being imposed. It has been told by the relevant authorities before that cafes and restaurants should be closed by 10.30pm, but these businesses have, in fact, now been given permission to extend their business hours until midnight.

"This matter is not intended to reduce business hours but instead they are given extended hours to operate their business until 12 midnight," he explained.

He also went on to say that based on his research, so far there have been no complaints made by members of the public neither to the municipal department nor to the ministry itself regarding this issue.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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