Pompous minister was probably asleep

MM Online - Minister tells local authorities to delicense hotels with headscarf ban (extracts):

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — Any hotel that bars Muslim frontline workers from donning their headscarves should have their operating licences and permits revoked, Tan Sri Noh Omar said today.

The urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister said the purported hotel industry rule was unacceptable, according to the BH Online news portal.

Local councils come under his direct purview.

“I am telling all local authorities responsible for issuing hotel licences: if the complaints received are true, I recommend they withdraw the licences issued,” he was quoted as saying.

“Muslim women are obliged to wear the headscarves even if they work for international hotel chains; even as global entities, they (hotel operators) must be more rational.”

A bit harsh considering no warning was given by authorities. This may create 'situations' conducive for a bit of 'pungli'.

'Pungli' has been a word, an acronym I learnt in Indonesia, which stands for 'pungutan liar', wakakaka.

Furthermore, the International hotels were subscribing to an international dress code for hotel front-line staff, and if that international code had been in conflict with the required Islamic rules of local authorities, the onus is on the local authorities to issue notice of the conflict and appropriate prior warnings.

The government cannot simply de-license hotels without adequate notice of its new overriding Islamic rules it suddenly wants to enforce.

Prior to the brouhaha, did the authorities do anything?

Bugger-all - everyone including the minister were sleeping on the Islamic job, and I dare say it's the coming elections plus Encik Tantawi (wakakaka) that have squeezed their bloody balls to awaken them.