KUALA LUMPUR – The Petaling Jaya City Council is set to review its licensing policy for live music in restaurants and pubs following grievances by business owners prohibited from holding live music performances in their establishments.
This was confirmed by Petaling Jaya Zone 12 councillor Derek Fernandez who had raised the matter in a council board meeting earlier today.
Referring to the National Security Council’s (NSC) ambiguous standard operating procedures (SOPs), Fernandez says the board was told that the SOPs ought to be interpreted in favour of the person or business being regulated, in cases where livelihood is concerned.
“Until they (NSC) clarify in writing, we are entitled to interpret it (the ambiguity) favourably towards the public or musician or business,” he said.
While an exact date for the policy review has yet to be determined, Fernandez says a decision will be made in the next meeting of the council’s licensing committee.
On Saturday, The Vibes reported on the case of Merdekarya, a live music venue and restaurant in Petaling Jaya, that was refused a performance permit due to the city council’s narrow interpretation of SOPs.
News on the potential policy review was warmly welcomed by Brian Gomez, owner of Merdekarya.
Speaking to The Vibes, he expressed confidence that the council’s interpretation of the SOPs will give business owners more clarity, “unlike the utter mess published by the NSC”.
He also hopes that the decision to resume live music, if made, will be recognised by other enforcement bodies such as police.
“On our part, we will continue to fight for nightlife to be taken off the negative list by the NSC and put an end to all this ambiguity once and for all,” he said. – The Vibes, February 28, 2022
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