Khalid says no ‘Muslim ban’, MPSJ rule a guideline

Khalid said no law had been passed over the controversial ruling. — file pic

SHAH ALAM, Jan 17 — Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said today the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has not banned Muslims from working in outlets selling alcohol, clarifying a councillor’s claim that the rule has been in force since January 2010.

The Selangor mentri besar said the controversial ruling was merely a “guideline”.

“There is no ban,” Khalid told reporters today.

“No by-law was enacted. It was only a guideline on business licenses... to reduce the number of Muslim workers at premises selling alcohol,” he added.

Earlier today, MPSJ councillor Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir told The Malaysian Insider the ruling had been in place since January 1, 2010, and not last Monday as reported.

Roslan, the chairman of the council’s sub-committee on licensing, also said he had chaired the meeting to pass the Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment in 2009.

The enactment, he added, only affected entertainment outlets like pubs, nightclubs and karaoke bars, and not restaurants, hotels or even convenience stores.

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