Advisory on club renewed over 2015 incident

KUALA LUMPUR: The travel advisory announced by the US Embassy on The Beach Club nightspot was a “renewal” of one previously issued in 2016.

A spokesman for the embassy said the recent travel advisory published on its website was a “routine policy renewal of an incident which happened in 2015”.

The spokesman added there was no recent police report lodged over any incident at the entertainment outlet.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the embassy’s move painted a negative picture of Malaysia, and at the same time implied that such alleged incidents occurred at all nightclubs in the country.

“There is no need to issue the travel advisory. Just tip-off the police ... they can take action if there is a complaint.

“Sometimes victims do not lodge a report but discuss it on social media. Perhaps this could be the reason the embassy is concerned about the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur City Hall said it has not conducted checks on the establishment in Jalan P. Ramlee following the recent travel advisory.

On claims by the embassy of “coordinated drink-spiking”, the spokesman said that would fall under the scope of the police.

A Beach Club spokesman said they are aware of the advisory, which he described as “disappointing” as the place is known among foreigners for being a good hang-out spot.

“It affects staff morale and patrons’ confidence.”