KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu government will continue to close business premises during Friday prayers and enforce the dress code for women.
Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the measures will ensure that the rapid development of Terengganu is in line with Islamic teachings.
"I received positive feedback from parents who thanked me for enforcing the dress code because their children have to be choosy when dressing up in public places.
"Since our advice to youths went unheeded, we hope the enforcement will make them dress decently," he told told reporters after opening the annual general meeting of Kuala Terengganu Hawkers and Petty Traders Association.
Recently, the Terengganu Islamic and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) sent several youths for counseling for dressing and behaving offensively in public.
The action was taken under Section 34 and Section 35 of the Terengganu Islamic Criminal Offences Enactment 2001.
Ahmad Razif said the closure of business premises during Friday prayers also received positive feedback from supermarket operators, including the non-Muslims.
"A Chinese supermarket operator thanked the state government because the spare time can be used to conduct activities to motivate the non-Muslim workers," he added.
Early this year, all business premises were ordered closed for two hours from 12.30pm to enable Muslims to attend Friday prayers and prevent them from wasting time. - Bernama