Low fines do not deter offenders
2011/04/20
By Jason Gerald John
streets@nstp.com.my
By Jason Gerald John
streets@nstp.com.my
Sapiah Haron (right) with a Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council official carrying out spot-checks at restaurants. — Picture by Nashairi Mohd Nawi
Council president Sapiah Haron said one of the restaurants had been issued compound fines on five separate occasions this year for failing to adhere to the council's Food Hygiene By-Law 2010.
The other restaurant and the fast-food outlet had had three and two compounds issued against them respectively in the first quarter of this year.
"We fine them but they have no problem paying and the problem is not resolved. The cleanliness and hygiene of these restaurants are still below par and there are no signs of improvement.
"The RM250 that the restaurants have to pay for each compound could be too low and this is why they can easily settle it," she said.
Sapiah said the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal council wants to raise its compound fines which are considered too low for restaurants to take hygiene and cleanliness seriously.
"This is not to burden the restaurant operators but to get them to buck up," she said.
She said a proposal for a revision of the compound rate would be submitted to the state government.
Sapiah said the council would not compromise on the cleanliness of food operators in the MPHTJ area.
"We will continue to carry out spot-checks at all restaurants in our area and this includes hotels, food courts and fast-food outlets," she said.
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