Nightclubs, pubs and karaoke centres remain prohibited - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: The operation of nightclubs, pubs and karaoke entertainment centres has never been allowed since the period of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18 last year, said Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He stressed that there has been a misunderstanding of the operating permission for the sector all this while.

"There is a misunderstanding. Nightclub operations including nightclubs, pubs and karaoke centres have not been allowed since MCO in March last year.

"The three businesses were never given permission and remain on the operating ban list.

"Statistics on raids and arrests by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) involving entertainment centres including pubs and nightclubs from March 18, 2020 to January 31 recorded 951 entertainment centre premises raided, 9,587 compounds issued and 4,666 arrests made.

"This shows that the government does not compromise on the opening of nightclubs, pubs and karaoke centres because it is still on the banned list," he said at a press conference on the implementation of MCO on Tuesday.