Despite strong protest from various quarters, the Terengganu state government will enforce a temporary closure of shopping complexes and smaller shops within their premises on Fridays from January next year.
The state government announced this in a directive dated Dec 9 and distributed to all district councils across the state.
The local authorities will impose a RM1,000 mandatory fine on first-time offenders. Failure to pay the fine might also cause the revocation of the business licence.
According to the directive, a special workshop would be conducted in the second week of January to determine the standard operating procedures for the operations.
Standardised procedures that can be used by the local authorities would also be discussed at the workshop.
Kuala Terengganu acting mayor Samiun Salleh said the move was imposed to prevent Muslim youths from skipping the Friday prayers.
“It involves big supermarkets and premises within them. The smaller shops in the surrounding area will not be affected.
“We will also issue a notice to business operators on the enforcement of the directives. Smaller food operators need not be worried,” he said when contacted from here yesterday.
Terengganu MCA chief Datuk Toh Chin Yaw urged the state government to reconsider its decision.
“I have written to the Mentri Besar regarding the concerns, especially from the non-Muslim community, and we have been keeping close contact with the state government.
“Rather than enforcing such a directive, the state should instead provide an advisory to the business community.
“The government could also introduce an awareness and education programme for Muslim youths so that they will perform their Friday prayer,” he said.
Toh said Terengganu was a major tourism destination for Muslims and non-Muslims from all over the world and the decision could create unnecessary problems for the sector.
“Businesses should be allowed to operate as long as they do not disturb the religious requirements of the workers. The business community has always allowed its Muslim workers to perform their religious duties on Friday,” he said.
Terengganu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice-president Alex Lee expressed concern that non-Muslims would have to travel to other states if the ruling was enforced.
“We are worried that it will be extended to other smaller shops. Non-Muslims may end up going to other states such as Pahang, as Friday is a public holiday in Terengganu. Most families spend time in shopping malls. It will affect the business revenues of the malls,” he said.
Terengganu Tourism Malaysia director Mohd Nasir Kushairi said the move would not affect tourism in the state as most Muslim businesses voluntarily shut down during the Friday prayer.
“There will be some confusion about the new directive but it will not have a huge impact on the tourism industry,” he said.-thestaronline
