Latest news with #FoodAct1983
The Star
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘Adopt balanced approach when handling unlicensed S'gor traders'
A BALANCED approach, which upholds the law should be adopted when tackling unlicensed hawkers in Selangor. Sungai Buloh Umno legal and electoral bureau head Adzly Ab Manas said the state government and local authorities should also promote social inclusiveness. He said enforcement actions were insufficient to deal with the issue, which was increasingly complex and challenging. 'The challenge is not solely about legality or city planning. It is also deeply associated with aspects such as economic survival, bureaucratic obstacles and the public's right to livelihood. 'Proactive reforms and empathetic engagement with micro-entrepreneurs must be the standard when dealing with this issue,' he said. He also said while the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), Food Act 1983 and other local council by-laws required hawkers to obtain licences and follow specific health and safety regulations, many were forced to operate informally due to various problems. 'These problems include lengthy and rigid licensing procedures, delayed site approvals, lack of designated trading spaces in high-demand urban areas, financial constraints among B40 traders and poor legal awareness, especially among the elderly and foreign-born citizens,' he said. He urged the authorities to introduce temporary or daily trade passes and 'mobile licences' for new or low-income hawkers. 'Controlled trading zones should also be declared under Section 101 of Act 171 to avoid blanket prohibitions and allow managed and rotational hawking. 'The authorities should also shift from punitive actions to advisory and corrective methods, including the introduction of a 'Hawker Verification Programme' for legal transition support. 'Centres for legal briefings, fast-track licensing and free legal clinics in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the Bar Council should also be established.' He said unlicensed hawkers must be seen not as criminals, but as essential contributors to the urban micro-economy. 'Under Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution, every citizen has the right to livelihood and equal treatment under the law. 'A fair law does not criminalise poverty, but creates paths for legal participation. 'The Selangor government and local authorities in the state must lead with compassion and initiate legal reforms on this matter. 'We must ensure that every hawker, regardless of capital or background, has the right to trade with dignity and legality.' Adzly said he was ready to work with all stakeholders, to create policy solutions that honour both the law and the people.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Here's to safer food for all
TODAY is World Food Safety Day, and its theme 'Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected' encourages everyone – from home cooks to big food factories – to stay alert, clean and ready because food safety isn't just a government thing. It's an everyone, everywhere, every day kind of mission. The Health Ministry, through its Food Safety and Quality Division, and using laws like the Food Act 1983 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, inspects restaurants, tests food samples and monitors imports.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Nasi kandar restaurant shut down over squalid conditions
BUTTERWORTH: A nasi kandar restaurant here has been ordered to close immediately for conducting business in an extremely unhygienic environment during an operation codenamed "Op Bersepadu", carried out by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP). The local council said the exercise conducted yesterday was led by the MBSP Department of Health Services, in collaboration with the MBSP Enforcement Directorate and the North Seberang Perai District Health Office (PKD). "Among the actions taken was the immediate closure of the premises under the Food Act 1983, issued by the North Seberang Perai PKD after it was found that the cleanliness level of the premises was at a concerning level. "In addition, four compounds amounting to RM4,000 and two notices for offences of placing obstructions in public areas and failing to produce valid work visas for foreign workers were also issued to the restaurant owner," it said in a statement on Facebook. It said that the operation indicates the authorities' full commitment to ensuring cleanliness, safety, and legal compliance at food premises is upheld to the highest standard. "Furthermore, all food premises operators are urged to consistently comply with relevant laws and ensure their premises remain clean, safe, and in line with established standards for the wellbeing of the community," it added.
The Star
25-04-2025
- The Star
Frozen goods seized in KK after 560kg of spoiled food found in store
KOTA KINABALU: Nearly RM2mil worth of frozen food has been seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) after expired or spoiled items were found among goods stored on the premises. Sabah GOF Commander Datuk Abdul Rani Alias said several hundred boxes were seized and two employees, aged 22 and 44, arrested at the storage site on Jalan Makat here at about noon on Wednesday (April 23). Cmdr Abdul Rani said the raid under Ops Taring Chiller was carried out after public information and intelligence gathering on business activities at the location that were in breach of the Food Act 1983. The GOF Battalion 16 Intelligence Task Force team inspected the premises and found that frozen food in the store was mixed with expired and spoiled frozen food, he said on Friday (April 25). Among the items seized were beef, chicken thighs, potatoes, mutton, and nuggets. He said 560kg of frozen food on eight pallets was found to be damaged, spoiled, or expired. 'The total value of the seizure is RM1,932,253, including the freezer,' he added. He said the operations team handed over both suspects and the frozen food seized to the Kota Kinabalu Health Office enforcement division for further action. The case is being investigated under the Food Act and Regulation 38 of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
The Star
22-04-2025
- The Star
Blitz continues against illegal businesses run by foreigners in KL
KUALA Lumpur City Hall has carried out 1,066 enforcement operations against illegal businesses run by foreign traders since January. DBKL enforcement department director Mohd Muzammer Jamaluddin said that a recent operation in Brickfields resulted in action against eight premises. 'Of the eight, four premises were ordered to close immediately under the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries (WPKL) by-laws 2016 and Food Act 1983," he said in a video post on DBKL's official social media page. Mohd Muzammer added that DBKL issued seven notices for various offences under the Local Government Act 1976 and Licensing of Trades by-laws. The KL Strike Force joint operation was carried out together with the Immigration Department and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry. Hazirudin Ahmad Tadjudin, from the department, added that foreign hawkers not only operate without a licence, but also do so without hygiene control. 'This is not a seasonal operation, as claimed by some parties, but a continuous one." He added that hotspot areas such as Jalan Silang, Chow Kit, Pasar Borong Selayang and Brickfields are monitored. Meanwhile, a separate operation against unlicensed hawkers in Jalan Leboh Pudu, Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin, Jalan Petaling and Jalan Sultan saw 13 seizure actions carried out. DBKL said enforcement was taken under the Licensing of Hawkers By-Laws (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 2016. All items seized during these operations were sent to DBKL storage in Taman Miharja, Cheras, for documentation purposes.
