Penang health department orders closure of private hospital cafeteria and popular steak restaurant

A CAFETERIA at a private hospital and a landmark steak restaurant in Penang were recently ordered closed by the state's public health authorities.

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the closure order for the hospital cafeteria followed a public complaint received on April 13 regarding possible food contamination.

"We received a complaint on April 13. The health department then inspected the site and found that cleanliness was poor," he said.

It was reported that health inspectors found roaches and rat droppings within the kitchen enclosure. 

Gooi said enforcement action was taken without delay.

"Hence, an immediate closure order and compound were issued on the same day.

The cafeteria operator is required to carry out a thorough clean-up before the premises can be allowed to reopen," he added.

Two days later, The Ship restaurant in Seri Bahari Road, which was famed since the 1970s for steaks and other western cuisines, was also ordered closed.

The restaurant had also earlier disclosed online that it was closing at its present site and plans to relocate to a new location. – April 17, 2026