THERE are no plans by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to limit the operating hours for entertainment outlets to 1am, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad.

Khalid today said nightclubs will not be asked to reduce their operating hours.

He also denied reports that said DBKL would enforcing the 1am closing time.

He said premises that have licenses to operate beyond 1am can continue to do so.

“There is no blanket order for all (nightclubs) to close at 1am. That is not true. That news is not right.

“I said for those that have licenses to close at 1am, they will have to close at 1am. For those with licenses to operate until 3am or 5am, then it’s only until 3am or 5am,” he told reporters after attending a “Back to School” carnival in Lembah Pantai today.

However, Khalid said there will be a discussion with DBKL soon to consider the regulations regarding the operating hours of all nightclubs.

He said some outlets that operate past midnight created social problems, such as drugs and prostitution.

“We have raided (these clubs) and we have arrested some individuals. There were drugs, gambling and prostitution issues,” he said.

Khalid also said his ministry will relook at premises who claim they needed to be open until 5am to cater to tourists.

“All (nightclubs) will be reviewed. You have to give the right reasons if you want to operate until 5am.

“But if you say it’s for tourists but there are no tourists, then you’re lying. So, your reason to operate until 5am is not reasonable,” added Khalid.

It was previously reported that DBKL will enforce a 1am closing time for all nightclubs next year, as some outlets were disobeying the rules and stayed open until 5am. – December 2, 2018.