KB Restaurant Closed After Failing Cleanliness Inspection
By Liza Mohd

Kuala Belait - A popular restaurant in Kuala Belait was ordered to close temporarily after failing a joint inspection conducted by the Enforcement Unit of KB and Seria Municipal Board and Health Department yesterday morning.

Awg Mardani bin Dato Hj Mohammad, Acting Secretary of KB and Seria Municipal Board, said that two reminder letters had been issued to the restaurant ordering it to comply with the conditions set by the Municipal Board on food preparation and hygiene.

However, the restaurant failed to act in accordance with the order despite prior visits and verbal reminders by the Health Department.

The Municipal Board is issuing a letter to the restaurant operator upon recommendation from the Health Department, ordering the restaurant to close for a mandatory period of two weeks until it fully complies with the conditions, said Awg Mardani.

During the raid, officials from the Municipal Board and Health Department found packed perishable food items laid outside the restaurant's back entry and noticed the dirty condition of the restaurant's kitchen floor.

The officials discovered that sinks located outside at the back area of most of the restaurants inspected and activities conducted outside were obstructing motorists from parking their cars as well as impeding the way of passers-by.

These acts are offences under Section 177 and 178 of the Municipal Act for obstruction of streets and arcades.

The Municipal Act also applies to department stores and other shops found displaying sale items and extending chairs and tables outside their business premises without permission from the Municipal Board.

Many restaurants also placed sinks outside their premises to clean their dishes, while their employees were also found working outside such as chopping food, placing tables to dry the dishes and discarding damaged heavy equipment like freezers and refrigerators.

These actions affect not only the restaurants' tidiness but also portray a bad image to the tourists and the public.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners argued that the sinks had to be put outside because of space constraints.

However, Awg Mardani said restaurant owners should understand the requirements of hygiene and positioning of equipment before operating their businesses.

Yesterday's operation codenamed "Operasi Kawal 5" involved 12 officials from the Enforcement Unit of KB and Seria Municipal Board and Health Department.

The raids were carried out for two hours from 9am yesterday to inspect activities outside business premises and restaurant food preparations, cleanliness and housekeeping to ensure that they comply with the Food Act 1998.

Restaurants were targeted in Jalan Pandan 6 and 7 in one of Kuala Belait's main shopping areas.

Awg Mardani said that most of the restaurant owners had been issued with a first reminder letter. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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