Line Clear raided

GEORGE TOWN: The operator of the popular Line Clear nasi kandar eatery is crying foul after the Penang Island Municipal Council seized tables and chairs in an operation early today morning.
Operator Abdul Hamid Seeni Pakir said he was upset over the 4am operation and claimed there was no notice from the council on any wrongdoing on his part.
He said there was no explanation given and that his workers could only watch helplessly as several tables and chairs were carted away.
He said what happened was unfair as there were customers enjoying their meal at that time.
He said the council should have given notice so any outstanding issues could be addressed by the operator.
"I am really puzzled over what happened," he said a few hours after the operation in a press conference today.
The 24-hour eatery opened in 1955 at the back lane of Jalan Penang here and is famous for serving traditional Indian Muslim food.
The management of the eatery is currently embroiled in a three-way family tussle after three cousins alleged Abdul Hamid had reneged on a pact made in 1978 that they would be taking turns to operate the business.
T. Abdul Latif had reportedly said Abdul Hamid was given his turn in 2008 but refused to let another cousin, CMH Sahubarali, take over in 2010 when the term was up.
Abdul Hamid also said he plans to file a suit in the coming days to resolve the ownership impasse.
Meanwhile, a council statement issued by the Public Relations Department said the enforcement action was taken as the business was unlicensed for 2015.
The statement said the action was in line with the Hawker Bylaw 1979 and noted a licence has been issued to a new operator as decided by the Council on Oct 8, 2014 but it did not say who the new operator was.