KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — Popular Penang nasi kandar outlet Line Clear continued operating today, after a previously scheduled demolition of the stall at 7am did not materialise.
According to news portal Star Online, the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had initially planned to take enforcement action against the operator of the unlicensed outlet.
The demolition was scheduled to go on despite the operator, Abdul Hamid Seeni Pakir, ostensibly securing a stay of execution against the council’s actions on Friday from the Penang High Court.
However, Star Online reported that Abdul Hamid had no court documents to prove the claim, and only a reported claim by his lawyer, Md Yusuf Md Idris, that High Court judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah had granted the order in chambers.
He was also quoted saying that they could not obtain a sealed copy of the order, as the court’s counter was already closed, adding that he would obtain the papers on February 2.
On January 19, the MPPP seized the tables and chairs on the Line Clear’s premises for allegedly operating a business without licence since 2015.
National news agency Bernama reported Abdul Hamid admitting that he had been operating without a licence since taking over the business premises when his turn came in 2008, but claimed that he did not get any notice or explanation from the MPPP on the matter.
The nasi kandar stall, located in an alleyway along Penang Road, is operated on a rotation basis between four cousins: Abdul Hamid, Abdul Latiff Thulkarunai, Sahubarali China Mohd Hanibah and Pathumah Iskandar.
Patahiyah said the council licence was issued to the four on an annual rotation basis and the rotation was decided by the cousins amongst themselves.
Under the rotation system, Abdul Hamid’s license was for 2014 and he was supposed to vacate the premises to allow the next license holder, Abdul Latiff, to take over for 2015.
Patahiyah said the licences for the next two operators are Sahubarali (2016) and Pathumah (2017), before it is Abdul Hamid’s turn again for 2018.
