KUCHING: Time is running out for reflexology and health centres here to comply with the Local Authority Reflexology and Health Establishments) By-law 2009 as the three-year grace period given to them will expire this April 30.
According to the chairman of the Public Health and Licensing Standing Committee of Kuching City South Council (MBKS), Cr Mohammad Taufik Abdul Ghani, once the by-law takes effect on May 1, all the reflexology and health establishments would need to fully comply with all its regulations.
“The negative perceptions from the public on reflexology and health establishments make it even more important for the operators to comply with the by-law because the operators have invested a lot of money in renovations and they will surely want to make profit from the business,” he said during a dialogue with 91 operators of reflexology and health centres at MBKS Auditorium here yesterday.
During his speech, Mohammad Taufik was glad to notify the participants that so far there were no reports on any illegal activities going on in the licensed reflexology and health centres.
“However, if the council finds any illegal activity going on in your premises, we will have no choice but to cancel your licence as required by the law,” he added.
Mohammad Taufik also advised the operators to ensure that their staff, especially those in contact with clients to go for comprehensive medical check-ups to ensure that they were not infected by infectious diseases.
“It is important for all your workers to be properly screened. If any of your workers are found to be infected by infectious diseases such as AIDS, customers will not patronise your business anymore,” he said.
On the reflexology and health industry, he said it could be a good industry for the city provided that the operators follow all the regulations under the bylaw.
“We must work together to make sure that this industry is a protected industry and becomes a good industry for the city,” he added.
Meanwhile, MBKS Public Health and Licensing Division manager Zuraida Idris said as at Feb 22, 65 outstanding cases involving reflexology and health centres were yet to be solved.
“Fifty cases involve operators who have yet to submit their building plans and 15 cases involve breach of title conditions,” she said.
During her briefing, Zuraida also reminded the operators to ensure that their licences are renewed at least 30 days before their expiry date.
She also told them that non-compliance with the bylaw would result in actions, including legal action, taken against the culprits. Upon expiry of the grace period, she said spot checks would be done on all reflexology and health centres sometime in May to ensure that they fully comply with the bylaw.
“There will be no more warning given to the operators and we will just take action, including issuing compounds on the spot to the operators,” Zuraida warned.