Don't miss out! We'll send a list to your inbox, once a day. Subscribe now!

Thank you!

We've just sent you an email with your subscription link. Click on it to confirm your request.

Subscription failed!

Sorry, there seems to be an error.
news

KL May See Fewer Massage Centres As Govt Studies The Need To Freeze Licence Approvals

Johor Bahru and Alor Setar are two cities that have frozen license applications for spas, massage parlors, and reflexology centers.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.

The government is ready to suspend license applications for spas, massage parlours, and reflexology centres in Kuala Lumpur if deemed necessary

Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this in response to the Johor Bahru City Council's (MBJB) decision to freeze all applications for those businesses effective yesterday, 1 February, reported Berita Harian.

She mentioned that a study will be conducted before any decision to freeze applications for such licences is implemented.

"As a responsible minister, we will [study the data first] before making any decision because we don't want the decision to become an issue [in the future], and the best approach is to get all the information first," she told reporters at an event yesterday.

Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Image via Mohd Fadli Hamzah/New Straits Times

Johor Bahru joined Alor Setar as the second city councils in Malaysia to cease issuing licences for massage parlours to curb "immoral activities"

Johor Bahru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the decision was made to control the proliferation of high-risk and sensitive businesses, reported FMT.

"The move to freeze licence applications for high-risk and sensitive businesses is to allow MBJB to re-plan and rebrand these business activities, to be on par with those in developed countries and in line with MBJB's image.

"Accordingly, MBJB will develop and issue a guideline for these high-risk and sensitive business activities," Bernama quoted him as saying.

He added that such businesses located in shopping centres and hotels can continue operating as they adhere to appropriate business hours.

He stated that the demand for this type of licences is high in the city, especially given its close proximity to Singapore and the significant number of tourists it attracts.

"However, at the same time, we do not want any immoral activities to take place at these premises," he said.

As for Alor Setar, the city stopped issuing licences to these businesses since October last year to align with the aspirations of the Kedah state government.

Image for illustration purposes only.

Image via The Malaysian Reserve

Check out our recommendations for massage devices:

Don't miss out on Malaysia's top stories!

We'll send a list to your inbox, once a day. Subscribe now!

Thank you!

We've just sent you an email with your subscription link. Click on it to confirm your request.

Subscription failed!

Sorry, there seems to be an error.

Leave a comment