PBTs instructed to take stern action against pubs, nightclubs - Ismail Sabri

AYER KEROH: The government has instructed local authorities (PBT) to take stricter action against pubs and nightclub operators who are stubborn in carrying out operations during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

Senior Minister (Defence Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this is because the offence of flouting the standard operating procedures (SOPs) involving entertainment centres is recorded almost daily.

"Take harsh action... revoke licenses and so on. ... Blacklist the culprits so that they are not able to operate even after the RMCO has ended.

"The power is with the state and the real power lies in the (PBTs) districts.

"I hope the district council, municipal council, city council comply with the recommendations made by the Federal government. This is the SOP that has been set," he said when met after officiating the 27th General Meeting of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) here today.

Commenting further, Ismail Sabri said, the government through the National Security Council (MKN) has decided that stricter action be taken, including cancelling and blacklisting the entertainment centre business license which continues to be stubborn.

He said he had discussed with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) to monitor and work with the state government to direct local authorities to act more decisively than before.