KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 -- When Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the conditional movement control order (CMCO) on Labour Day, many Malaysians on social media joked that one of the first things they would like to do is head to their neighbourhood mamak for a nice teh tarik.

It seemed that some expatriates in the Bangsar area had a similar idea but instead of going to the mamak, they opted to have a nice ice-cold glass of beer while socialising among themselves at the local Healy Mac Pub.

Scattered around the outlet, the Malay Mail team saw around 10 foreigners enjoying their booze and lunch ranging from individuals at a table to small groups of three to four people.

Many of these regulars had arrived before noon and seemed ...