KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6 – Putrajaya Corporation has denied that a Hard Rock Cafe being protested by Perkasa Youth was confirmed, saying no official application has been received for the outlet to open in the country’s administrative capital.
Its president, Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, said the plan is still in the early stages and no decision has been made on the possibility of the restaurant and bar opening at Menara Ikhlas in Precinct 3, Putrajaya.
“[Putrajaya Corporation] has a clear policy on the sale of alcohol and unsuitable entertainment.
“Even if the proposal is approved in the future, Putrajaya Corporation will consider the sensitivities of the local community and give priority to preserving Putrajaya as the federal government’s administrative centre,” he said in a statement yesterday.
His remarks followed reports that Hard Rock International was expected to open its fifth outlet in Putrajaya, over the weekend.
But Aseh also admitted that he had met with prominent businessman Tan Sri Syed Yusof Syed Nasir, who was in Putrajaya on Saturday to look at possible investment opportunities, including opening a Hard Rock Cafe in the federal administrative capital.
Following the meeting, Aseh had announced that the newest Hard Rock Cafe would be opening in three or four months time.
Yesterday, Perkasa Youth Chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris had said Putrajaya was designed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad based on the structure of Medina in Saudi Arabia, which is the second holiest city in Islam after Mecca, where the elder statesman had made a mosque the focal point of construction in Putrajaya, surrounded by other buildings.
“Therefore, it is very inappropriate for this town, which is based on Islamic concepts, to be violated with a bar/ restaurant that openly serves liquor and wild entertainment,” Irwan said in a statement today.
“Putrajaya Corporation needs to consider an alternative in attracting investors and tourists, and not simply look for instant profit that will ruin the harmony and morals of local residents. The opening of HRC will not only destroy morality, but it is also not suitable with Putrajaya that functions as a federal government administrative capital,” he added, using the initials for Hard Rock Cafe.
The current four Hard Rock Cafes in Malaysia are located in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca and Kota Kinabalu.
