KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 6 -- Penang's city authorities have pushed back against suggestions of an imminent clampdown on foreign cooks at private food premises, saying any wider restrictions would only come after public consultation and internal deliberations.

According to The Star, the mayor of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Datuk A. Rajendran, said current enforcement is limited to hawkers operating at MBPP-managed premises and is carried out through existing licensing rules rather than new legislation.

"At this stage, we do not need to introduce a bylaw. The restriction can be imposed as part of licensing conditions during annual renewals, which allows action to be taken if there are violations," he reportedly said during the counc...