Think before going ahead with Muslim ban, PKR tells Jais

The Selangor Religious Department (Jais) should consider the effects of a ban against Muslims working in outlets that sell alcohol, PKR leaders said today.

According to them, Jais needed to “think” about how such a move would affect the state, and that “consultation” and more engagement with all affected parties was needed before going ahead with any enforcement.

“I think it is timely for Jais to have more engagement with all affected groups to understand the day-to-day realities. The changes in society must be noted.

“Jais must be proactive. The issue of a Muslim ban, it is clear that the onus in on Jais here, not the state government,” said PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli.

Party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said the Selangor government should not be held responsible for whatever decision that Jais made.

“This move right now is a guideline, but should it be enforced, is going to affect the people in Selangor. If it is going to be regulated, will it not be possible to affect factories (beer factories) with Muslim workers?” she said.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said yesterday 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.

He 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 licences... to reduce the number of Muslim workers at premises selling alcohol,” said Khalid, noting that some 140 workers were affected by the ruling.

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.

Roslan also said the council had decided to include the guidelines as part of local laws as Jais could still take action against Muslim workers at outlets selling alcohol.

Khalid said, however, that such decisions by local councils required approval from the state executive council before they could be enforced.

“Each time a guideline is passed, they must get approval and discuss with the state exco,” he said.

“But Jais has the right... to enforce the law on workers. I am speaking on the part of local government,” he clarified. - Malaysian Insider