MPSJ tells kopitiams to have only five stalls or less

You’re going to have fewer choices for dinner the next time you head over to your favourite neighbourhood kopitiam.

Operators of kopitiams under the jurisdiction of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) have been ordered to have a maximum of five stalls in their premises, or risk having their licenses revoked.

Since September 30, eight shops have already had their licenses yanked for flouting the new ruling.

MPSJ has also warned kopitiams with tables and chairs placed outside their premises – such as on sidewalks and in front of adjacent lots – would also lose their licenses.

The Star Online‘s Priya Menon reports that several kopitiams in Subang, Puchong and Seri Kembangan were forced to close up shop after being visited by MPSJ enforcement and licensing officers on September 30.

Owners are complaining that the ruling makes no sense for some kopitiams whose floor space would facilitate more than just five stalls; others are lamenting the harsh enforcement of having their licenses taken just for having an errant table out of their proscribed areas.

The general consensus is that kopitiams are traditionally hawker centres providing patrons with a large variety of dining options – something the new MPSJ  ruling would jeopardise by limiting the number of kitchens allowed on their premises.