Don't blame food outlets for infrastructure failures, says BN lawmaker

Manndzri Nasib said authorities should not solely hold eateries responsible for sanitation issues when the root cause lies with poorly maintained public drainage systems. The lawmaker highlighted cases where food businesses face penalties despite their efforts to maintain standards, only to be hampered by failing municipal infrastructure in their areas.

The remarks reflect growing concerns among business operators about enforcement practices that may not account for external factors beyond establishment owners' control. Drainage system failures and inadequate waste management infrastructure can directly impact hygiene conditions at food premises, creating challenges that operators alone cannot resolve.

Manndzri's statement suggests a need for coordinated efforts between health authorities and local councils to address systemic infrastructure problems. Rather than relying solely on punitive measures against individual eateries, a more comprehensive approach would involve upgrading public infrastructure to support better hygiene standards across food service sectors.

The issue underscores broader challenges facing Malaysian municipalities in maintaining aging infrastructure networks. Food establishment operators have called for greater consideration of such environmental factors during compliance inspections and enforcement actions.