24-hour restaurants to stay - Najib

The government has decided to maintain the operating hours of all 24-hour restaurants and eateries in the country so that they can continue providing comfort and convenience of the public.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the decision was also made to prevent the government from being seen as restricting the operating hours for the traders.

"The current service (provided by 24-hour restaurant operators) has been seen capable of providing comfort and convenience to the public and enable them (the operators) to earn the income they deserved.

"If we restrict their operating hour, it will also cause unnecessary problems to the public," he told reporters here today.

Prior to this, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim was reported as saying that the National Social Council was looking into the proposal to restrict operating hours of restaurants and eateries to midnight as a move to curb social ills.

Meanwhile, Najib said the congregation of the Jamek Mosque in Kampung Baru, here, were seen to be satisfied with the redevelopment of the mosque, which cost over RM20 million and fully funded by the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) Foundation.

"I have prayed in the mosque twice and the condition is much better now, more beautiful, comfortable and bigger praying area...soon, it will be fully air-conditioned," he said.

Earlier, Najib joined the congregation to perform Asar prayer and distributed his personal donation of 1,200 packs of savoury porridge to the public.