Divided over laundrette policy
(The Star) – A self-service laundrette in Muar, Johor, that advertises its services for only Muslim customers, has drawn mixed reaction from the public.
Photos of the laundrette and the signboard have been widely circulated on Facebook, drawing interest from netizens and the Malay and Chinese media.
The signboard placed in front of the single-storey shoplot advertises it as a Muslim-friendly laundrette and that it only serves Muslim customers.
While some viewed the policy as racist and appalling, others felt it was the operator’s prerogative to limit its clientele.
Facebook user Suresh Pandian urged non-Muslims not to get worked up over the issue, adding that the operator had the right to decide on how to run his business.
Another user, Lim Dawson, felt that the move was discriminatory and said if such segregation was necessary, then the Government should issue proper guidelines to all launderettes to prevent misunderstanding.
User Mohd Zaffi urged the people not to be too sensitive over the issue, adding that there was no problem for Muslims to wash their clothes in any laundrette, and that this particular laundrette was just giving Muslims an alternative.
Muar MCA division chief Datuk Tay Puay Chuan said that such practices should not be encouraged as it promoted racial segregation in multi-cultural Malaysia.
He, however, acknowledged that since the laundrette was located in a remote area with a Muslim majority population, the operator could have been trying to reassure his Muslim patrons who utilised the machines there.
“This does not reflect the view of Muslims at large, as they are very welcoming of non-Muslims including at the many Malay restaurants in the district.
“We definitely do not agree with such a move that promotes racial segregation,” he said yesterday.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the state government had no intention of interfering in businesses carried out in the state.
He said it was up to business operators to decide whether to limit their services to a certain group of people or to open it up for everyone.
“In this case, perhaps the operator feels that customers from a certain group of people is sufficient to see good profit.
“It is their way of operating; we will not get involved in it,” he told reporters after attending the state-level Youth Day celebration here.
Isn’t it the same as this:
