Minister says government willing to consider 24-hour food businesses

Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed has said that the government was willing to reconsider their decision to ban 24-hour businesses in Male’, if that was the wish of the public.

Shops in Male’ have to close by 10 pm and cafes and restaurants by 12 pm, with the government warning penalties for any business which violates the rule.

Speaking in an interview with “Sun”, Minister Saeed said that the government had not yet made the decision to lift the ban, but said that rules can be reconsidered, and that the government was willing to make changes as per the wishes of the public.

“If the society wants a certain thing, and if it doesn’t clash with the law of Islamic Sharia, the government will not stand in the way,” said Saeed.

He admitted that the existence of the need for places that provide food during nighttime, but said that the rule would be reconsidered only after safety and security considerations.

Permission for 24-hour food businesses was given during the administration of former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, but was taken away during former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed’s administration for security reasons.