Restaurant in viral video showing rat 'enjoying’ fried chicken closes for 14 days

SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry has ordered a restaurant in Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur to be closed for 14 days following a viral video of a rat licking a fried chicken in a food heater, at the restaurant.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the closure was in accordance with Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.

He said the action was taken following an inspection carried out by the health enforcement team of the Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) from the Selangor State Health Department and the Hulu Langat District Health Office on Saturday.

"A total of six compound notices were also issued under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 over failure to prepare food that is clean and safe.

"The ministry calls on the public, especially food operators to carry out joint responsibilities in ensuring that food safety is maintained to prevent food poisoning and food-borne disease outbreaks," he said in a statement on Sunday.

On Friday, Sinar Harian reported that the Health Ministry has asked the public to provide information regarding a disgusting video showing a rat licking a fried chicken in a restaurant's food heater.

The video was uploaded on Twitter by one Zoey Hanafiah who claimed that it happened while he was eating at the premises.

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said the ministry took the issue of hygiene and food safety seriously.

"Consumers are also advised to choose food premises that have the BeSS (Clean, Safe Healthy) logo when buying or eating out," he said.

“Depan mata sndiri, No more mkn mamak janjiii” (It happened right before my eyes, no more eating at the mamak, I swear), Zoey Hanafiah wrote in the post accompanied by the video of the incident on Dec 22.