GEORGE TOWN: The recent call to limit 24-hour eateries might force youths to watch live football matches at bars and nightclubs.
Kapitan Keling Mosque qariah chairman Meera Mydin Mastam said this, adding that most youths frequent Mamak (Indian Muslim) restaurants late at night to catch matches.
"Why bother banning 24-hour restaurants when there are more bars and street parties today?
"If there is a ban, the youths will have no choice but to go to bars to watch football matches and have social meetings." he said in a joint press conference with the Iman Society in Lebuh Chulia here today.
Meera, together with 20 other Indian Musilm-interest groups expressed their dismay over the call, saying it would affect Mamak shops nationwide.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the government was not looking for a blanket ban on the 24-hour eateries, but limiting them to town areas.
He said some restaurants and karaokes operated in housing areas and was a nuisance to many.
However, Shahidan said fast-food joints would not be affected by this proposal.
He said the National Social Council will meet to review the issue soon.