FED UP with entertainment outlets continued disregard for the law, officers from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) shut down several entertainment establishments in Jalan Berangan, Kuala Lumpur – a first for the local authority.

A house-turned-entertainment outlet that was being a nuisance to its elderly neighbours – Ben’s Latino Rum Bar was closed down followed by Oscar Arabic Night Club and Restaurant along the same road.

Both were operating without valid premises and entertainment licences.

The establishments were closed indefinitely by DBKL in the presence of Customs Department officers during a raid in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Anwar (left) and Ahmad Tarmizi outside one of the premises that was sealed during the raid.

During the raid, the officers sealed off the entrance to the establishments with yellow tape and closure notices were placed on the doors.

DBKL Enforcement (Licensing Division) head Ahmad Tarmizi Baharom said City Hall had previously issued notices and confiscated musical equipment and entertainment items at the outlets, seven times since 2016, but it did not deter the operators from resuming business.

The establishments were also operating without valid liquor licences.

Ahmad Tarmizi said the closure would set a precedent as DBKL had previously not sealed any entertainment outlet but merely confiscated items.

“We will usually issue compound notices and confiscate their items but they would be allowed to operate once they reapplied for the proper licences and fulfilled the conditions.

“But enough is enough. We have given them many chances but they continue to flout the law.

“This time we took a firm stand and closed both establishments as the operators continued to defy our rules,” he said.

Ahmad Tarmizi sealing the front door of another outlet that was raided.

He also hoped DBKL’s action would serve as a stern message and lesson to other business owners.

Ahmad Tarmizi said the enforcement action was taken under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Entertainment Act 1992 for conducting entertainment activities without a valid business licence.

Meanwhile, Customs enforcement officers also seized 30 bottles of liquor from Ben’s Latino and issued one compound notice under Section 133 of the Customs Act 1967.

DBKL Licensing and Petty Traders Development Department director Anwar Mohd Zain said court action could be taken against the operators if the seals were tampered with.

“We will not hesitate to pursue the matter to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

During the raid, some 75 officers from DBKL, Customs Department and the police descended on several other establishments in Changkat Bukit Bintang.

Another venue – Velvet Kuala Lumpur – found to be operating on an expired premises licence, was also sealed off by DBKL.

The operator was initially given a one-year conditional premises licence which expired in May.

Flash back

Anwar said the licence renewal was rejected because the operator failed to meet the conditions within the time frame.

“Some of these conditions included those stipulated by DBKL’s Health Department such as the need for soundproofing and hygiene aspects as well as failing to meet conditions set by the Planning Department.

“Without a valid premises licence, the operator cannot hold a liquor licence.

“But the operator continued with business and also sold alcohol,” he explained.

During the operation, Customs carted away a lorryload of liquor bottles.

Ahmad Tarmizi said DBKL would continue to carry out enforcement operations to ensure operators adhered to the law.

From January to June, DBKL’s Enforcement Department conducted 19 raids on entertainment establishments, resulting in 10 investigation papers filed.

StarMetro reported on July 30 that a family next door to the house-turned-entertainment outlet in Jalan Berangan had to endure constant noise, from 10pm to around 3am daily, for more than two years.

The resident, Y.M. Lou, 60, had complained to DBKL, Public Complaints Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Department and also lodged several police reports over the matter but the problem remained unresolved.

Lou was also quoted saying that she was not consulted before the neighbouring house was turned into a commercial establishment, which was a DBKL requirement.

When contacted Lou said for the first time in two years, she woke up to silence.

“It was a deafening silence. At first I thought I was dreaming but then I realised that there was no music playing next door. Let’s hope it stays that way,” she said.