KUALA LUMPUR – The latest water supply disruption in Klang Valley cannot come at a worse time, especially for restaurant operators who are gearing up for the coming Deepavali celebration, which falls on Saturday.
With the conditional movement control order imposed on all but four states in the country – restricting Malaysians from returning to their hometowns during the celebration – restaurants have hoped to make some profits during this festive period.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president T. Muthusamy said the water supply disruption, if it persists, could see eateries losing up to 40% of their potential daily revenue.
“Of course, this is (supply disruption) not something new. It has happened numerous times this year. But it is more painful for us now during this Deepavali period.
“Logically, more people will want to eat out because they do not have water at home to cook. The problem is we, too, do not have any water supply. So how do you expect us to serve our customers?
“Most of the restaurants only have enough water to last them a day, at best. Then we have to rely on supply from water tankers, if there are any,” he told The Vibes today.
Muthusamy was commenting on the latest water supply disruption after four water treatment plants – SSP 1, 2, and 3 and Rantau Panjang – were shut due to odour pollution in Sg Selangor.
The water cut, the ninth this year and just a day after the Selangor state assembly passed several amendments for harsher penalties against polluters, is expected to affect more than one million accounts in the Klang Valley.
Muthusamy said the biggest concern among restaurant operators is ensuring food safety, which would be a challenge if water supply continues to be disrupted.
“For certain items like utensils, we can use disposable ones, of course. But then again, you still need clean water for washing and cooking,” he said. – The Vibes, November 10, 2020
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