Entertainment outlets in the city centre will no longer be allowed to operate past 1am beginning January 2019. (NSTP Archive)

KUALA LUMPUR: Entertainment outlets in the city centre will no longer be allowed to operate past 1am beginning January 2019.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said this new regulation will be strictly enforced.

However, exceptions will be made for entertainment outlets with special permission to cater to foreign tourists.

These outlets will be allowed to operate until 5am.

Speaking at a press conference at the Parliament lobby, here, today, Khalid revealed that there are some outlets with this special permission which checks revealing they were merely catering to locals.

"We will have to check again on these special permission outlets. We don't want it to be abused, especially complaints from the public," he said.

On Monday, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) proposed to shorten the operation hours of entertainment centres.

Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said the proposal was to limit operation hours for entertainment premises within the city centre until 1am.

"Most of these entertainment premises that operate after hours are frequented by locals, not foreigners.

"Therefore only a select few entertainment outlets that are frequented by tourists would be allowed to operate until 5am," he had said.