Ramadan, Aidilfitri business restrictions: DAP Youth slams PN states' rules
Published: Mar 24, 2025 2:45 PM
Updated: 5:45 PM
Summary
- Terengganu bans street music performances during Ramadan’s last 10 days, while Kelantan mandates all supermarkets, fast food outlets, and convenience stores close on the first day of Aidilfitri.
- DAP Youth leader Koh Ling Xian condemns these policies as an abuse of power, arguing they interfere with non-Muslim freedoms, deprive street performers of income, and harm businesses.
- Koh accuses PN of extremist governance, warned of economic damage and investor deterrence, and urged voters in the Ayer Kuning by-election to oppose PN’s divisive politics.
DAP Youth higher education affairs bureau director Koh Ling Xian criticised the Perikatan Nasional-led state governments for restricting businesses and entertainment during Ramadan and Aidilfitri, accusing them of interfering with the freedoms of non-Muslims.
This came following the Terengganu government’s ban on all busking and street music performances across the state during the last 10 nights of Ramadan and Kelantan’s mandate that all supermarkets, fast food outlets, and convenience stores be closed on the first day of Aidilfitri.
In a statement today, Koh accused PN of misusing state power to oppress non-Muslims' freedom, harm economic progress, and spread divisive politics nationwide.
DAP Youth higher education affairs bureau director Koh Ling Xian
"Everyone has the right to practise their religion, but that does not mean imposing one’s religious beliefs on others, let alone using state power to enforce compliance.
"PN is blatantly abusing government power to push its religious agenda through authoritarian means, disregarding the fundamental rights of non-Muslims," he said.
Koh argued that banning street music infringes on personal freedoms and deprives street performers of their livelihood.
"Many street performers rely on small earnings to survive, yet the Terengganu government is heartlessly cutting off their income with a blanket ban. This policy is inhumane.
"What’s even more absurd is that the ban applies to everyone, not just Muslims, revealing PN’s extreme mindset and ignorance of Malaysia’s multicultural society," he added.
Kelantan's business closure policy
Regarding Kelantan’s forced closure of businesses on the first day of Hari Raya, Koh argued that while businesses should be encouraged to accommodate Muslim employees, the government should not impose blanket restrictions on all businesses.
“Supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food outlets serve essential needs. Whether to operate or close should be left to business owners, not dictated by government interference,” said Koh.
He further warned that the policy not only disrupts non-Muslim businesses but also causes unnecessary economic strain on the state.
"Everyone has the right to practise their religion, but that does not mean imposing one’s religious beliefs on others, let alone using state power to enforce compliance.
"PN is blatantly abusing government power to push its religious agenda through authoritarian means, disregarding the fundamental rights of non-Muslims," he said.
Koh argued that banning street music infringes on personal freedoms and deprives street performers of their livelihood.
"Many street performers rely on small earnings to survive, yet the Terengganu government is heartlessly cutting off their income with a blanket ban. This policy is inhumane.
"What’s even more absurd is that the ban applies to everyone, not just Muslims, revealing PN’s extreme mindset and ignorance of Malaysia’s multicultural society," he added.
Kelantan's business closure policy
Regarding Kelantan’s forced closure of businesses on the first day of Hari Raya, Koh argued that while businesses should be encouraged to accommodate Muslim employees, the government should not impose blanket restrictions on all businesses.
“Supermarkets, convenience stores, and fast-food outlets serve essential needs. Whether to operate or close should be left to business owners, not dictated by government interference,” said Koh.
He further warned that the policy not only disrupts non-Muslim businesses but also causes unnecessary economic strain on the state.
"If all shops are forced to close on the first day of Hari Raya, even Muslims will face difficulties finding essentials during emergencies. Who will they turn to?"
Extreme policies
Koh also accused PN-led state governments of repeatedly implementing extreme policies such as banning alcohol, gambling, and entertainment, which he said crippled local economies and worsened the already struggling economic conditions in these states.
"Now, PN is going even further by targeting non-Muslims, undermining Malaysia’s multicultural foundation.
He also raised concerns about future restrictions, asking whether PN would extend forced closures to other religious holidays or continue using religion as a tool to suppress freedoms.
"Such extreme policies will drive away foreign investors, damaging Malaysia’s economic growth in the long run," he added.
He urged Malaysians to reject PN's narrow-minded politics and called on voters in the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election to use their votes to send a strong message against PN’s divisive agenda.
"A party that suppresses freedom, weakens the economy, and fuels hate politics is unfit to govern - or even to be a responsible opposition,” Koh said.
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