IPOH: Perak Health Department will monitor a popular nasi kandar restaurant here for a month after allegations surfaced on social media that the restaurant was washing cooking utensils on the road near a drain.
State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said that although the department had not received any official complaint about the matter, health officers had conducted an inspection as soon as the issue went viral a few days ago.
"I believe there is some truth to the viral video because when our officers went there, the place was already closed, and there were no workers washing utensils.
"We will conduct surprise visits to the location at night over the next month," he told reporters during a press conference on preparations for the state-level Deepavali celebration at the Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan today.
Last week, a 17-second video went viral, showing a worker washing cooking utensils on the roadside behind the premises.
Aside from the lack of hygiene, the social media post also claimed that the restaurant caused noise disturbance with washing activities continuing until 2am.
The video attracted widespread attention from netizens, who expressed concern about food hygiene and called for strict action by the authorities.
Sivanesan said that the department's officers would also visit the housing area near the restaurant to gather statements from residents.
"I see this as a serious allegation and we will not allow it," he said.