PENANG: The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) president Mohideen Abdul Kader feels that coffee shop owners should not impose table fee or service charge on customers not ordering a drink, as they have already ordered food from stalls inside the shop.

If the customers have already ordered food, they should have the right to decide whether to order a drink as well. They should not be forced to do so.

“If they have ordered and paid for the food, why should they pay extra?”

Mohideen told the media that consumers can lodge a complaint with the domestic trade ministry or seek assistance from the CAP if they are required to pay a table charge.

“Consumers can contact us and we will report to the relevant authorities.”

However, he said if a consumer only sits at the coffee shop without ordering any food, the coffee shop owner indeed has the right to charge a table fee.