Backing Anwar’s deadline as a pragmatic fix for struggling businesses

Supporters of the one-month deadline argue it is a necessary intervention to prevent a collapse in the restaurant industry. Small eateries, which form the backbone of Malaysia’s food culture, have been operating at reduced capacity due to a shortage of cooks and waitstaff. Many have had to cut opening hours or turn away customers. By fast-tracking applications, the government is directly addressing a bottleneck that has frustrated employers for months. The prioritisation of restaurants makes economic sense, as the sector employs hundreds of thousands and contributes significantly to local economies. Critics of the slow bureaucratic process have long called for efficiency improvements, and this deadline forces change. While some worry about oversight, supporters note that the applications are already vetted; the problem is processing speed. The move signals that the government listens to business needs and is willing to act decisively. If successful, it could serve as a model for tackling backlogs in other sectors.