KUALA LUMPUR: Atmosphere 360, the famous revolving restaurant at Kuala Lumpur Tower, is closed for now.

The restaurant, operated by Asian Kitchen (M) Sdn. Bhd., is given until 4 January to vacate the premises according to a court order.

Datuk Ringo Kaw, chief executive officer of Asian Kitchen, said the restaurant has bookings for Christmas, New Year as well as reservations until next year.

Nevertheless, patrons who have made advance bookings will be refunded because of the restaurant closure, he said.

On Thursday, court bailiffs were present at the restaurant to serve the court order, while it was busy serving its patrons.

Atmosphere 360 restaurant has been operating at KL Tower since 2011, introducing Malaysian cuisine to foreign tourists from across the world, said Kaw.

The tenancy agreement of Atmosphere 360, which started in 2011, was extended from 2014 to 2016, then 2016 to 2019 and 2019 to June 2023.

A summary judgement by the High Court on 4 September ruled in favour of Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. and its current owner Hydropshoppe Sdn. Bhd. against Asian Kitchen (M) Sdn. Bhd.

The High Court ruled that the tenancy agreement between Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. and Asian Kitchen expired on 30 June 2023, and Asian Kitchen was ordered to pay double monthly rents to Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. from 1 July until the vacant possession is surrendered.

Asian Kitchen was to pay cost to Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd.

Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd., in a statement, expressed regret over the inconveniences caused to local and foreign tourists on 21 December, when the court bailiffs were present to serve the Writ of Possession and Writ of Seizure and Sale against Asian Kitchen.

It said despite issuing notices, letters and memos to the restaurant operator to vacate the premises, the efforts were “to no avail”.

Asian Kitchen’s application for a stay of execution of the High Court decision on 4 September was dismissed on 23 November, it said, adding that Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. then proceeded to apply for the court to execute the order.

Despite Asian Kitchen’s unlawful and illegal holding over the premises since July 1, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. had never interfered with the restaurant’s operations and management.

“All steps taken by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. in resolving the tenancy issue with Asian Kitchen are in compliance with the laws and procedures of Malaysia,” it said.