Alor setar: A total of 45 tomyam restaurant premises in the city and in Pokok Sena were found operating without licences during an operation conducted by the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) on Feb 14 and 17.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mayor Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya stated that 64 premises were inspected during Ops Tomyam, with only 19 found to have valid licences. He mentioned that 145 compounds and five notices were issued for various offences, including displaying advertisements without approval.

Compounds were also issued for poor hygiene standards, as well as failure to provide typhoid vaccination cards and food handler certificates. MBAS has expressed concern over the non-compliance among tomyam restaurant operators who are still failing to meet the stipulated requirements.

Datuk Abdul Gafar Yahya also reminded local stall owners not to misuse their licences by renting them to foreign nationals and urged all food premises operators to apply for licences from MBAS to avoid enforcement action. He added that MBAS will meet the traders next week to verify the visa status of foreign workers and ensure compliance with regulations.