Singaporean loses Malaysian PR over surau storm

(MM) – Putrajaya has flexed its muscles and revoked the permanent residence (PR) of a Singaporean resort operator who allowed a group of Buddhist tourists to meditate in a Muslim prayer room on its grounds.

The drastic move was to remind foreigners that the government would not hesitate to take stern action against those that failed to mind local religious sensitivities, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

“The home ministry has decided to pull his status as a permenant resident because the status was given for his convenience and was not a privilege.

“And as a permenant resident, he has to be sensitive to religious issues in this country and understand Malaysians’ sensitivities,” he told reporters at Persatuan Pengasih Malaysia’s Aidilfitri celebration here.

He said the 45-year-old Singaporean owner of the resort in Johor has been notified of the ministry’s decision.