If you’re familiar with the popular nasi lemak eatery Wanjo, they’re infamous for charging customers who want to dine under the air-conditioner. The restaurant recently came under fire for the surcharge – but, it appears they’re not wrong for implementing it.
Recently, a Twitter post went viral, calling out Wanjo for setting an additional charge on customers for dining in their air-conditioned section. According to reports, the restaurant charged RM1 for every adult who wanted to dine in the closed-off section. However, Wanjo does prepare a non-air-conditioned dining hall that is free for all customers. Many netizens have reacted to the tweet, agreeing with the Twitter user that such charges are deceitful.
Many netizens have also reported the restaurant to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Costs of Living (KPDN), claiming that charging paying customers to enter an air-conditioned room is unlawful. In response, the government agency investigated Wanjo but discovered that the RM1 charge was not against the law because it still abides by the rules stipulated in the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act of 2011.
According to the KPDN, the restaurant reminds all customers about the additional charge before they dine in the section and will provide a receipt for each payment. There are also notices on the restaurant premises which indicate the RM1 charge for air-conditioning. A Wanjo employee said the RM1 charge is to ensure the air-conditioning works well, which has been testified by satisfied customers.
Wanjo is in the clear for the RM1 charge, and the KPDN couldn’t find any other wrongdoing. On the other hand, the ministry even suggested the restaurant take action against the individual responsible for the viral Twitter post to protect the restaurant’s good name and reputation.
Perhaps this wasn’t the outcome many expected, but the KPDN has done their best to investigate the claims. Nevertheless, consumers still have the right to lodge a report if they feel they’re being wrongly charged or overcharged by any local restaurant. What are your thoughts on this?
Sources: Oriental Daily, Harian Metro
