KUALA LUMPUR – Bar and restaurant owners in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar, have been told to take their grouses to the National Security Council (NSC) if they wish to serve alcohol at their establishments.
Instead of blaming police personnel for doing their jobs, Brickfields police chief Anuar Omar questioned why operators did not appeal to the NSC for an exemption.
“We are doing our jobs by enforcing the standard operating procedures (SOPs), as announced by (Senior Minister) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri (Yaakob) on a day-to-day basis.
“The SOPs clearly state that bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, whether it is the entire premises or part of it, are not allowed (to operate) during the movement control order (MCO) period.
“Restaurants, for instance, are allowed to serve food but the bar area in their premises that serves alcohol must be closed. There should be no bartender tending to anyone requesting for alcohol either,” he told The Vibes today.
Anuar said the police will not compromise with a handful of businesses in Bangsar for their lack of compliance over the safety of 50,000 people in his jurisdiction.
“I am merely following orders and the latest directives from the NSC. And, these orders are directed to all stations in the Brickfields police district.
“So, it does not matter whether the place is in Jalan Telawi (it applies to the) rest of Brickfields’ police district as well.”
His response comes after several bar and restaurant owners in Jalan Telawi expressed shock after they were ordered by police to stop serving alcohol last night.
It is understood that some of these bars operate as restaurants serving food, but also sell alcohol.
According to the NSC SOPs, only pubs and clubs are prohibited from operating during the MCO.
A group of police officers were seen visiting these establishments last night, but when asked by The Vibes regarding the order, they said: “Go and ask the National Security Council.”
Joshua Billique from the Bangsar Bar and Restaurants Owners (BRO) had told The Vibes the SOPs do not prohibit restaurants from serving alcohol.
“According to what I have heard, these are instructions by the officer in charge of the Brickfields district police (Brickfields OCPD).
“This is a very sudden rule change without proper announcement.”
Siva Shankar, who is also from BRO, said the move by the police violates constitutional rights, especially given that the NSC has not made an official statement on the matter.
“The Brickfields OCPD is clearly responsible for this.
“There has been no gazetted prohibition on the sale of alcohol. Plus, if a customer wants to drink coffee or beer, how could they simply say no?”
During last night’s raid, some of the bar and restaurant owners said police eventually allowed them to serve alcohol slightly before 10pm, which is the mandated closing time for the majority of outlets in the area.
At press time, The Vibes is seeking Ismail Sabri for clarification on the SOPs.
According to an SOPs list released by the NSC today via Telegram, activities at nightclubs and pubs are prohibited while food-related businesses are allowed to operate from 6am to 10pm for areas under MCO. – The Vibes, February 20, 2021
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