LETTERS: The recent closure of several food premises by the Klang Municipal Council is to be lauded. Effective enforcement is a rarity these days.
Many a time grouses have been voiced in the media and elsewhere, but it has been falling on deaf ears for far too long.
So, it was a pleasant surprise to know of the two-week closure of eateries for failure to make sure that their food were free from potential contamination.
Talking about food, it's a known fact that there is nothing like home-cooked food.
When people do eat outside, it could either be for want of a change, they have no other alternative, or for some other reason best known to themselves.
They put their faith in the hands of the management, cook and the other staff to serve them food according to regulations related to food preparation.
Consumers expect restaurants they patronise to be clean and practise good hygiene. It's grossly unethical not to do so.
When you run a business, the onus is on you to keep patrons satisfied in order for them to come back on a regular basis.
One has to think of long-term investment. Or else, in no time you would have to close shop.
The order to close the restaurants and food courts is a timely lesson for others in this business to take heed.
It's great on the part of the authorities to act without fear or favour for the good of the public at large.
I sincerely hope that this exercise is an ongoing one, so that the culture of cleanliness and good hygiene is the norm everywhere.
The public, too, can play their part by working with the authorities in making the eateries a welcome site to frequent.
At the end of the day, what really matters is work ethics. If every person does his part with integrity, the public will feel safe to go to any eatery and a feeling of living in harmony will prevail.
THIAGARAJAN MATHIAPARANAM
Klang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
