Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi has announced that a supermarket located in a Gurney Drive mall has been temporarily closed due to hygiene violations identified during a routine inspection. The health department of Penang has mandated the closure of the outlet until August 2 due to cleanliness concerns. In a press conference held at Komtar, Gooi explained that the inspection was part of regular enforcement measures aimed at ensuring food establishments in the state adhere to food safety and cleanliness regulations.
He emphasized that this was not an extraordinary operation but rather a standard enforcement activity conducted periodically. Gooi stated that actions would be taken against establishments that do not comply with hygiene standards. The supermarket received a closure notice yesterday, and it will remain shuttered until the specified date in August.
Gooi clarified that the intent behind this action is not to punish the operators, but rather to safeguard public health and ensure that businesses maintain a safe and sanitary environment. He also mentioned that there have been several food poisoning incidents this year, and the goal is to avert similar occurrences in the future. Additionally, Gooi indicated that he would request more information from the health department regarding the measures taken against the supermarket.
In a related update, he reported that cases of Covid-19, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and dengue in Penang are currently under control, with all three showing a decreasing trend. According to data from the 26th epidemiological week ending June 4, Covid-19 cases have dropped by 59.7% compared to the same period last year, while HFMD cases decreased by 86.5%. Although the number of dengue cases is also declining, specific figures were not provided.
He urged the public to remain cautious, noting that national case numbers are on the rise.
July 20, 2026