M’sian Woman Questions RM20 ‘Sitting Fee’ She Was Charged For At KL Hotpot Restaurant

In Malaysia, it’s common knowledge that you’ll be expected to be taxed when dining out, with the service and sales tax (SST) being one example. But how about a fee for sitting down at the restaurant?

This was the question that a woman had after she discovered that she was charged RM20 for a ‘sitting fee’ while dining at a hotpot restaurant located in Sungai Besi, KL.

M’sian woman charged RM20 ‘sitting fee’

In the post shared to the Facebook group Malaysia Law Forum by the woman, she showed a photo of the receipt, where she was indeed charged RM20 for a ‘sitting fee’ and only realised it after she paid the bill.

Needless to say, the ‘sitting fee’ left her feeling bewildered as she wasn’t notified of it nor aware of its existence in the first place.

Isn’t it normal for the restaurant to provide seating and utensils when dining in? If we don’t pay the sitting fee, are you expecting us to dine with our hands on the roadside?

The woman said that in China, charging customers for the utensils, condiments, and patronising the restaurant is illegal and can result in legal action if a report is lodged.

She also asked why such “illegal” acts were taking place in Malaysia and said her consumer rights were violated as she didn’t have a choice in the matter nor was she notified of the ‘sitting fee’ beforehand.

‘Go lodge a complaint’

Like the woman, netizens were shocked by the RM20 ‘sitting fee’ as many of them have never heard of such as thing before.

They also encouraged the woman to lodge a complaint with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) over the fee.

Meanwhile, one claimed that several restaurants have begun charging customers this fee under the term ‘utensils fee’, to which another netizen remarked that based on that logic, he could bring the utensils home as he had already paid for it.

What do you think of the ‘sitting fee’? Let us know in the comments!

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