KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — Shopping malls in Terengganu will be shut down for two hours every Friday during the Muslim prayer time from next January onwards, the state government said.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the new ruling will be enforced by local authorities after the necessary amendments to state by-laws are made.
“Local authorities will station their women officers on these premises and issue summonses, as well as order the owners to close up during the stipulated period between 12.30 pm and 2.30pm,” he was quoted saying in the state assembly yesterday by The New Straits Times.
According to a separate report in Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian, Razif said local authorities have been ordered to issue circulars on the new directive to all shopping mall owners, including kiosk operators within and outside the premises.
He said failure to comply with the directive would result in enforcement action under state by-laws.
Razif was explaining the decision made by the Terengganu state executive council last week when replying a question by PAS lawmaker Ridzuan Hashim (Teluk Pasu).
The PAS state assemblyman had questioned the steps that would be taken to tackle complaints of Muslim youths loitering in shopping malls instead of carrying out their Friday prayers.
“I hope the Terengganu government can emulate Kelantan by closing the malls for a few hours for the Friday prayers,” Ridzuan was quoted saying in another report by English daily The Star.
In Kelantan, a 1994 by-law empowers state authorities to fine Muslim men up to RM1,000 or put them behind bars for up to a year, or both, for failing to attend Friday prayers three times in a row.
Razif also said the local authorities would speak to the Terengganu Religious Affairs Department on the enforcement to be meted out on Muslims youths found loitering in shopping malls during Friday prayers.
“We want to preserve the sanctity of Islam and we want Muslims to respect their religion,” said Razif, who is also Kuala Nerus Umno division chief.
“The youth, especially, need to understand that this action is for their own good,” he added in the NST report.
