KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — More than 600 Indian and Indian Muslim restaurants across Malaysia are reportedly on the brink of permanent closure due to a worsening labour shortage, reports The Vibes.
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.
The groups also called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and help address the labour crunch, which they described as an escalating burden on restaurant operators.
They further 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 closure of these outlets, they added, would have far-reaching consequences for the broader business ecosystem.