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MORE than 600 Indian and Indian Muslim restaurants across Malaysia are reportedly on the brink of permanent closure due to a worsening labour shortage, according to industry groups.
In a statement shared on social media, the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas), together with the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), said the lack of workers has made it increasingly difficult for many operators to sustain daily operations.
The associations stressed that the issue requires urgent government attention, warning that the impact goes beyond restaurant owners and could ripple across related sectors of the economy.
They cautioned that if closures become inevitable, an estimated 5,000 Malaysians who depend indirectly on the industry could lose their livelihoods.
Those affected include drivers, suppliers, cashiers, and administrative staff whose income is tied to the continued operation of these establishments.
In the same appeal, the groups called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and help address the labour crunch, which they described as an escalating burden on restaurant operators.
They also highlighted the role of Indian and Indian Muslim eateries in providing affordable meals to the public, while contributing significantly to local economic activity.
The potential shutdown of these outlets, they added, would have far-reaching consequences for the broader business ecosystem.
Meanwhile, a poster raising awareness of the issue has gone viral within 24 hours, urging the public to help amplify the message so that authorities take swift action before more restaurants are forced to cease operations. – May 30, 2026
