SOME restaurant owners are not keen on resuming 24-hour operations as they have gotten used to their current schedules.  

They said not operating round the clock allowed them to cut labour and utility costs, maintain cleanliness, and more. 

Others, however, were eager to get back to non-stop operations, but faced manpower issues. 

“Less than 25% of our members are operating 24 hours a day,” Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said.  

“There are some members in Penang, Johor, Kuala Lumpur and other areas that are doing it. 

“Maybe there is a need for it at factory areas or even tourist spots like Bukit Bintang. But it is up to the operators,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Ali said they have 4,000 members nationwide who are operating more than 12,000 outlets. 

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were less than 10,000 outlets operating; since recovery, more outlets have opened up. 

“Business has gone up by 80% as we head back to our normal revenue collection. 

“Even with Menu Rahmah, which costs RM10 to RM11 to prepare, but sells at RM5, we can still make a profit.” 

Ali said he has 20 outlets and only one is operating 24 hours a day at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). 

“They (KLIA) advised us to keep it open as it catered to travellers. But for the rest (other members) there is no need unless they are located in high volume areas.” 

He added that his outlets were only packed on weekends.  

“We operate from 6.30am to 2am. In the few hours we close, we carry out cleaning work. Most of our members are agreeable to this.” 

Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) president J. Suresh said currently none of their restaurants were operating round the clock. 

“We recently managed to settle some manpower issues, so we are looking at this in two to three months’ time. 

“At least 70% of members have settled their workers’ issues.”  

He said they currently have 1,500 members, with some of them having two or three restaurants. 

“When they get the workers, we are looking at 10% to 20% that will operate 24 hours a day. 

“About 90% to 95% of our staff are new, so we need time to train them. Only then can we run at full force.” 

Primas members mainly operate from 7am to 11pm with a handful operating up to midnight. 

He said the restaurants looking to operate non-stop were situated in the Klang Valley, Ipoh, and Johor Baru. 

Those who had not resolved their labour issues sought a meeting with Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar to bring in more foreign workers, he said. 

“We have sent him a letter asking for a meeting. 

“Those who have settled their manpower issues might start operating 24 hours a day in three months’ time,” he added. – May 18, 2023.