Melaka: The Melaka state government has firmly denied issuing any statement regarding a proposal to extend the operating hours of massage parlours, entertainment centers, and sports venues in Melaka until 2:00 am, contrary to recent reports by a news portal.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Senior Exco for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change, and Disaster Management, Datuk Rais Yasin, clarified that the report was both inaccurate and misleading. This misinformation has caused unnecessary polemics among the public both within and outside the state. Datuk Rais Yasin emphasized that the news portal's claim about the state government's intention to extend operating hours was untrue.

Datuk Rais Yasin, who chairs the Melaka State Entertainment License Special Committee Meeting, noted that while they receive numerous applications for extended hours from private industry players via local authorities, any such applications undergo thorough scrutiny. These applications are assessed according to established procedures and governance rules by the Melaka State Entertainment License Special Committee before being presented to the Melaka State Executive Council (MMKN) for a decision on approval.

He further explained that currently, only establishments within the Melaka Raya area have the permission to operate until 2:00 am during weekends. In contrast, those outside Melaka Raya, such as in Kota Syahbandar, are restricted to operating until midnight on weekends. No approvals have been granted for extended operations beyond these established limits on weekdays. The intention behind these operating hour limits is to manage social activities effectively while simultaneously enhancing the state's economy.