60-year-old Y.M. Lou and her 84-year-old father finally enjoyed a good night’s sleep in two years, after Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officials closed down the neighbouring house that was converted into a nightclub three years ago, reported The Star
“When I woke up, there was a deafening silence. At first I thought I was dreaming but then I realised that there was no music playing next door. Let’s hope it stays that way,” said Lou.
The adjacent house that was turned into Ben’s Latino Rum Bar was shut down along with Oscar Arabic Night Club and Restaurant. Both business located in Jalan Berangan, Kuala Lumpur were shut down for operating within invalid premises and without entertainment licences.
According to DBKL’s Enforcement Head for the Licensing Division Ahmad Tarmizi Baharom, this is the first time that they have closed entertainment establishments within the city.
Previously, city hall had issued notices and seized musical equipment and items at Ben’s Latino Rum Bar and Oscar Arabic Night Club seven times since 2016, but this failed to stop the owners from continuing their businesses.
“We will usually issue compound notices and confiscate their items but they would be allowed to operate once they reapplied for the proper licences and fulfilled the conditions. But enough is enough. We have given them many chances but they continue to flout the law.”
“This time we took a firm stand and closed both establishments as the operators continued to defy our rules,” he said.
Similarly, DBKL shut down Velvet Kuala Lumpur for continuing to operate despite its expired premises licence. Initially, the business obtained a one-year conditional licence. However, it lapsed in May and was not renewed due to owner’s failure to fulfil certain conditions within the period.
“Some of these conditions included those stipulated by DBKL’s Health Department such as the need for soundproofing and hygiene aspects as well as failing to meet conditions set by the Planning Department,” said DBKL Licensing and Petty Traders Development Department Director Anwar.
“Without a valid premises licence, the operator cannot hold a liquor licence. But the operator continued with business and also sold alcohol.”
Aside from cordoning the three nightclubs with yellow tape, their doors were sealed off with closure notices. Any attempts to remove these notices and resume operation will be met with legal action.
“We will not hesitate to pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law,” Anwar added.
Image sourced from Lelong.my
This article was edited by the editorial team of PropertyGuru. To contact them about this or other stories email editorialteam@propertyguru.com.my
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