Popular mamak restaurants must obey SOP, do not do as you wish - Ismail Sabri

However popular, it gives no excuse for Indian Muslim or mamak restaurants to operate beyond the stipulated period during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said no privileges were given to the restaurant operators who should comply with the rules set by the government.

“There is no privilege in terms of compliance with the SOP (standard operating procedure) including mamak shops. Since mamak shops are popular, many people can sit there until dawn previously but we have made rules.

“So, any restaurant operator must comply with the SOP by closing business at 10 pm. It is clear in the rules that also make it compulsory for social distancing, taking of body temperature before entering such premises and to write down their phone numbers and full names.

"It is the same. It cannot be because they feel popular, they can do as they wish, that is not allowed,” he said in a daily media conference here on Monday.

In this regard, Ismail Sabri hoped the authorities will take action against any restaurant operator who fails to comply with the government SOP.

"There are no exceptions to anyone," he said.