KUALA LUMPUR – Popular Bangsar eatery Annapuurnam Chettinad Restaurant has come under fire after viral images showed a staff member allegedly washing utensils near a roadside drain in an unsanitary practice that sparked widespread public outrage and renewed scrutiny over food safety standards.
The incident, which occurred along Lorong Maarof, was brought to light by community member Kimberly Xavier via The Republic of Bangsar (#TROB) Facebook group, where she posted photos and detailed what she witnessed around 12.30pm.
“Absolutely DISGUSTED by what we witnessed at Annapuurnam Chetinad in Bangsar on Lrg Maarof today around 12.30–1pm. A worker was seen washing the cutleries, plates, ladles on the dirty road itself!” she wrote.
“This is on the street itself and it’s being contaminated with drain water streaming down from the pavement, not to mention rodents from the drains and road. When confronted the staff laughed it off.
“When the issue was raised with the owner, his only concern was whether this would end up on Facebook. No apology. No accountability, which is why I felt I have no choice but to at least alert our community for safety reasons.”
Xavier’s post triggered a wave of backlash online, with many expressing disbelief and sharing personal experiences.
Sharon J. Tan, an admin of the group, urged the poster to lodge formal complaints: “Since you have photo evidence, please make a report to DBKL and Ministry of Health.” Another user, Thomas Easaw, replied in agreement, adding: “Do and make a report.”
“Pls complain to ADUN #DBKL,” wrote Dat DT, while others criticised the restaurant’s track record on hygiene.
“I stop going there a long time after a friend of mine ended up in hospital [with] food poisoning almost immediately and it’s super expensive as well!” said Jessie Kaur.
“All the utensils on the floor…” noted Bill Hong, reacting to the photos.
Another user, Pinky Pinky Pinky, added: “I stopped going there for a long time after realising their hygiene is really bad.”
Vimal Lesh simply commented: “Good God,” summing up the disbelief shared by many in the group.
Xavier’s post also mentioned a separate but related incident that took place during the same visit: a diner inside the restaurant allegedly discovered a maggot in her chutney.
Responding to the criticism, the restaurant issued a statement attributing the situation to an unexpected breakdown in kitchen equipment.
“We are aware of a photo currently circulating that appears to show dishes being washed near a drain area,” the management said in a statement to Scoop.
“Unfortunately, our commercial dishwasher broke down unexpectedly. An engineer was immediately contacted, and we are awaiting repairs.
“In the meantime, our team resorted to a temporary workaround. Dishes were rinsed under running water and then transferred to a sanitised area, where they were set aside for proper sanitisation once the dishwasher was operational again.”
The restaurant stressed that none of the utensils photographed were used to serve food without undergoing proper cleaning.
“Hygiene and cleanliness are core values in our kitchen — not just because it’s the law, but because it’s personal. Our own children eat here regularly, and we would never serve anything we wouldn’t eat ourselves.”
Despite mounting calls for accountability, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has yet to announce any formal investigation into the incident. – May 26, 2025
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