No Extention Of Operating Hours For Massage Parlours, Entertainment Outlets, Sports Centres Until 2am - Rais

MELAKA, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government has never issued a statement regarding a proposal to review the extension of operating hours for massage parlours, entertainment centers, and sports venues in Melaka until 2:00 am as reported by a news portal yesterday.

State Senior Exco for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change, and Disaster Management, Datuk Rais Yasin, said the report was inaccurate and misleading, causing various polemics among the public both within and outside the state.

"The news portal report yesterday stating that the state government intends to extend the operating hours of massage parlors, entertainment, and sports centers is untrue.

"I wish to emphasise that I chair the Melaka State Entertainment License Special Committee Meeting, and we receive many applications from private industry players brought forward by their respective local authorities," he told reporters here today.

He said this after officiating the Publicity and Public Participation Programme for the Draft Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council Local Plan 2035 (Replacement), which was also attended by the Deputy Director-General (Development) of the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), Saidin Lateh.

Rais stated that despite the reports, all applications will be scrutinised according to the procedures and governance set by the Melaka State Entertainment License Special Committee before being brought to the Melaka State Executive Council (MMKN) to decide whether the extensions are approved or not.

He added that currently, only involved premises located within the Melaka Raya area are permitted to operate until 2:00 am during weekends, while those outside Melaka Raya, such as Kota Syahbandar, are only allowed to operate until 12:00 midnight on weekends.

"These applications will be reviewed, but we have yet to grant approval for any involved premises to operate beyond the established time limits on weekdays.

"The operating hour limits are intended to control social activities while simultaneously boosting the state's economy," he said.

--BERNAMA