Ban violates human rights of non-Muslims, says Chua

Thursday July 14, 2011

PETALING JAYA: The move by the Kedah government to stop 13 types of entertainment outlets from operating during the Ramadan month violates the human rights of non-Muslims, MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Chua Tee Yong said.

He said non-Muslims had the absolute freedom and rights to visit these entertainment outlets.

“This policy is not only disrespectful of the non-Muslims but it will also affect their livelihood,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak should explain the matter while the DAP must also protect the interests of the non-Muslims by ensuring that such an unfair policy was abolished.

It was reported that the Kedah government had prohibited entertainment outlet operators from renewing their monthly licence and operating during the fasting month.

The state government also restricted the opening hours of restaurant chains, which are only allowed to open after 3pm during the fasting month.

“PAS has always claimed that its policies only apply to Muslims but such a move has definitely violated the human rights of non-Muslims, as provided for under the Constitution. Can the party still say that its policies will not affect the non-Muslims?

“This shows that PAS has never given up on forming an Islamic state,” Chua said, adding that he is worried that other Pakatan Rakyat-run state governments will follow suit to show their consistencies in their implementations.

In Alor Setar, state Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said that although selected entertainment outlets were not allowed to operate during the holy month of Ramadan, the mentri besar should explain why the ruling must also affect non-Muslims in the state.

“I urge the Pakatan Rakyat national leaders from PKR and DAP to look into what is happening in Kedah as the state government is turning Kedah into a PAS state,” he said yesterday.