Netizens puzzled over "CNY surcharges" at local restaurants

 

At the top of the thread under r/malaysia, a picture posted by @nuaxiem showed that RM1 “CNY Surcharge” was charged to an unknown customer after ordering three plates of Chilli Pan Mee at an unnamed eatery. PIC CREDIT TO REDDIT

KUALA LUMPUR: While Malaysians are still celebrating Chinese New Year, a long thread has popped up on social media platform Reddit as local users debate over special festive surcharges which where allegedly charged.

At the top of the thread under r/malaysia, a picture posted by @nuaxiem showed that RM1 "CNY Surcharge" was charged to an unknown customer after ordering three plates of Chilli Pan Mee at an unnamed eatery.

Local Redditors were divided in terms of their opinion as some have questioned whether it was necessary, while some have backed restaurant owners for charging extra cost if the reason is to bear the cost of operation, especially for staff that have sacrificed their festive holidays to come to work.

"That's why I only eat at fast food chains during CNY, eating at Chinese places is expensive," user @Real1Doge said.

User @GreedLocks echoed his fellow redditor saying that it should be reported to National Consumer Complaints Centre (NCCC) as he opined that such practice should not be encouraged.

"Just because the majority of people are ok to fork out such surcharges, it indirectly encourages this sort of business conduct. It is clearly a clear violation of the Anti-Profiteering Act 2010," he added.

Rebutting @GreedLocks, user @jwrx said the restaurant owner has the right to charge extra during the festive season as long as it is properly signposted so that the customers are aware and can choose whether to dine at the restaurant.

"As long as it's clearly signposted that there is a surcharge, and customers can decide if they want to pay or not," he said.

Also agreeing with the sentiment, user @fongky said the surcharge is justified as the staff had to skip seeing their family and loved ones during holidays, just to make a living.

"I think it is fair. Staff cannot be with their family or having the day off, they are only compensated by holiday and overtime rate. Even the owners sacrifice to run their business during the festival," he said. - NST