1am ruling: Respect people’s freedom of choice, says Siti Kasim

Siti Kasim reminds Khalid Samad that Malaysia is not an Islamist nation.

PETALING JAYA: Lawyer-activist Siti Kasim today continued her criticism of Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad over his announcement that entertainment outlets in the city would have to close at 1am from next year.

In a Facebook post, she said Malaysia doesn’t require laws such as those from “uncivilised” countries.

“In Saudi Arabia there’s beheading, that’s a law too. In Kelantan, wearing shorts can get you fined, that’s a law too,” she said

“If we want to be a developed nation, we have to follow nations that follow laws that respect the people as adults with their own way of thinking and freedom of choice.”

She said those governing should not make Malaysia a country where the people are restricted like children.

The outspoken lawyer reminded Khalid that Malaysia was not an Islamist nation “where this is haram and that is haram”.

“If you want to do that, go back to PAS and administer Kelantan,” she said.

Khalid, who is the Amanah communications director, was previously in PAS.

Siti was responding to Khalid who earlier defended the move to have entertainment outlets in the city abide by closing hours stipulated in their licences.

Khalid, who is the Shah Alam MP, said that entertainment outlets in other countries, including the United Kingdom, were also required to abide by similar regulations.

Siti, in her post, said it was not right to force all entertainment joints to close at 1am as some permits allowed the premises to stay open until 3am.

She questioned why tourists could get to enjoy the nightlife until 5am but Malaysians had to cut it short at 1am.

On Thursday, Khalid said entertainment outlets in the city would have to abide by the closing hours stated in their licences starting Jan 1 or face action, in a move which he said was aimed at “enhancing family time”.

He also said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would also review the operating hours of a few outlets that had been given special permission to open until 5am to cater to tourists but which had abused that privilege by allowing in locals. - FMT