‘Cancel eatery closure order’

PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan government’s order to have food outlets in the state closed during terawih prayers is akin to blocking efforts to seek halal revenue during the holy month, says Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz.He hoped the authorities would rescind the order, adding that generating good and halal revenue during the fasting month should be encouraged.

Nik Abduh, who is a PAS central committee member, said Muslims should be encouraged to manage their time wisely to fulfil their religious obligations.

He was commenting on the order issued by the state secretariat to temporarily close restaurants and food outlets between 8.30pm and 10pm to encourage more people to perform terawih prayers (obligatory prayers after the mandatory isyak prayers during Ramadan).

Deputy state secretary Datuk Adnan Hussin had endorsed the order, which took effect on Monday.

State Local Government, Housing and Health committee chairman Dr Izani Husin called for patience when asked if the local authorities would start enforcing the order.

“Be patient. No comment for now,” he said when contacted.

The order letter endorsed by Adnan has since gone viral.

Nik Abduh said he had verified the authenticity of the letter issued by the state secretariat when the matter was brought to his attention after terawih prayers on Monday night.

In Kuala Terenganu, Mentri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the state PAS-led government did not intend to order restaurants in Terengganu to close at night during the Ramadan month as he did not see any need to do so.

“We have to gauge the local atmosphere and the problems.

“This is among the flexibilities to consider. It is not a set of rules that can work for everybody.

“I think Kelantan has its own reasons to do so. Every state is unique,” Bernama reported Dr Ahmad Samsuri as saying during a function here yesterday.

Last year, it was reported that the

Kota Baru Municipal Council had issued a warning to hawkers and restaurant operators to abide by the ruling not to sell food and beverages before 3pm during the fasting month.

Those caught selling food before 3pm would be slapped with a RM500 compound.