“Jangan main main (lit. ‘don’t fool around’) with the Penang government,” Jagdeep Singh Deo, the exco for local government, said today.

He said the state would no longer tolerate errant food operators, adding that it had so far detected nearly 1,300 health violations by eateries this year.

Twenty dirty food outlets were closed while 991 were slapped with compounds for contravening food safety matters. Another 266 compounds were issued to operators for not installing a grease trap.

Last month alone, 12 food outlets, including famous nasi kandar outlets in George Town, were ordered to close by the Health Department for two weeks for breaking food safety regulations.

Since 2008, 165 eateries had been shuttered and a total 30,748 food safety related compounds issued.

Jagdeep said the Penang government will continue to crack down on dirty eateries to ensure the state live up to its image as one of the cleanest cities in the region.

He said officers would step up surveillance on eateries.

“I have asked all the local councils to keep a close watch on eateries,” he said.

City council food compounds carry a maximum fine of RM450, while offences under the Food Act 1983 are liable to a RM100,000 fine or 10 years’ jail on conviction.