MUSLIMS ONLY LAUNDERETTE
by
K.Siladass
The existence of “Muslims only
launderette’’ in Muar, Johore did cause pain and dismay among Malaysians. In a
multi-racial and multi-religious country this should not have happened and that
was the common feeling; but, there were apologists who gave plethora of reasons
for such a launderette. Even the Menteri Besar of Johore came out indicating
that the operator must have been satisfied with his limited income.
Politicians with
their eyes on the votes were not prepared to come out against this Muslim only
launderette. Those who thought that this was a dangerous trend compared it with
the much hated apartheid which was practised in South Africa. That was a
systemised racial segregation and discrimination in the bygone era between 1949
and 1991. It was a humiliating system, a system which nurtured indignity and
abuse against the Black Africans and protected, preserved White supremacy. The
whole world condemned it, and Malaysia was active in that movement condemning
such a shameful system against humanity.
When Malaya was
under British rule, there was a regulation which stated that dogs and Souths
Indian labourers are prohibited from entering restaurants which had liquor
licences. It was a racist condition. It was removed after some years of
Merdeka. The late Tan Sri Manikavasagam could have been instrumental in its
removal.
The pre-Merdeka
generation would also remember that there were clubs whose
membership extended
only to Europeans but not to the locals. Those were shameful eras which we want
to forget. Yet here comes a new form of segregation and open humiliation in the
pretext of religion. Therefore, the Muslims only launderette was in fact an
irksome reminder of a disgraceful past: yet those who blow the One-Malaysia
trumpet failed to see the demeaning aspects of this sort of divisive religious
attitude.
Fortunately, His
Majesty the Sultan of Johore exercised his authority as the Head of Islamic
Affairs in the State to castigate and prohibit such a religious oriented
launderette.
It also emerged that
in Perlis too one operator had put up signage of “Muslims only launderette” and
on the advice of His Highness Raja Muda of Perlis, the operator took down the
signage and opened it for all. At this point of time, it was indeed hoped that
the Conference of Rulers should come out with a clear message to save the
country from sinking deeper into a state of divisive religious intoxication.
Once race and religious based institution such as Muslims only is allowed, it
will see a train of divisive norms flourishing in every sphere of Malaysian
life and that would destroy every hope of Malaysianess in this country.
Soon after the order
of the Sultan of Johore the “Muslims only launderette” operator removed the
signage and apologized to the Sultan of Johore. Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib
Razak came out with a statement that the apology of the operator ought to be
accepted. It is strange that Najib waited for the Sultan to make his stand
clear before he made the comment. As the Prime Minister who preaches
One-Malaysia he should have been the first person to say that this sort of
operations will not help the concept of Malaysian unity, and it should be
expelled from everyone’s thoughts. [At the time of concluding this article it
was reported that Najib has spoken against Muslims only launderette. According
to him such exclusivity is wrong.]
Sure enough to the
relief of all Malaysians, the Conference of Rulers have made an unequivocal
statement that Malaysia “is a country whose citizens are of diverse religions
and ethnic backgrounds and that must be respected” and the conference endorsed
the condemnation of Muslims only launderette. This was a timely intervention in
a matter of national importance where political bigwigs have conveniently failed
to address, even if the issue was addressed, it was vague and ambiguous.
In the meantime, a
JAKIM officer Zamihan Mat Zin criticised the Sultan of Johore for the latter’s
views on Muslims only launderette. His ranting included insulting the Chinese
whose pork eating habit, and alleged uncleanliness after clearing the bowels,
insinuating that they are not clean people.
Zamihan overlooked
the fact that using toilet paper is a common habit followed
by cleaning the affected
parts with water. Besides, almost all Europeans use toilet paper rather than
water after they had cleared their bowels. In countries where water is scarce
there may be other mode of cleaning.
Any person with common sense would have dismissed the
preacher’s outburst as puerile necessitating no response. That was not to be. There were those who thought that the preacher’s
explanation was important. To what can their explanation be ascribed? Would it be too wrong to say that this is due
to the constant bashing of other religions and ethnic groups in this country and
the indifference of the law enforcement agencies especially the police who
turned a blind eye to such grave and flagrant violations, not forgetting the inattention
of the ruling party in the government towards such dangerous course.
Now, a former Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Abdul
Hamid Mohammad has come out with the view that there is no law to stop a person
from operating Muslims only launderette. There may not be any law but
experience would have shown that common sense always played a complementary
role to see justice is done, and at the same time preserve harmony.
The Penal Code codified all types of offences that the
human mind is capable of conceiving and executing them; therefore, it
prescribed appropriate punishments for every offence. There is no doubt that
the Penal Code is secular in its form and substance and implementation. It
applies to all persons without any racial, religious and citizenship status. I
am sure Hamid will realise that it is experience which prompts the enactment of
laws. It is only when the society encounters new dangers emanating from new
types of crime, the legislature steps in to remedy the situation. While it is
true that Muslims only launderette or any business outlet should not practice
exclusivity based on religion, the legislature did not envisage this will
happen, because it had not happened and everyone thought it will not happen.
There was immense mature approach. The short answer to Hamid is this the
multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-culture Malaysian society not at anytime hitherto
practised exclusivity such as Muslims only laundrette because of their maturity
and culture of tolerance and idea of inclusivity. Therefore, the necessity to
enact laws to protect any conduct that could breed racial disharmony did not
arise. Perhaps the time has come for the licensing authorities eg. the local
Governments to look into this aspect and impose conditions/prohibiting such
exclusivity with penal consequences when those conditions are violated.
External uncleanliness
is not as bad as the mind filled with avarice, stupidity, garrulousness and
hatred, and more importantly a mind which is absolutely corrupt. For example,
stealing Government money which is public money; allowing nepotism, enriching
unjustly, living beyond one’s means, and leading a scandalous life: these are
the factors which would help to weigh a person’s cleanliness not as, it is
preached by former JAKIM preacher and his apologist those who keep on fuelling
the substance of hatred. Today, crimes have increased and they are not common
ones. They are not committed by ordinary Abdullahs, Ah Chongs or Wongs,
Anandans or Limbangs who are behind the mega crimes but they are committed by
those in high position with vast opportunities to perpetuate them.
Attention on these
would help society and the country.
Date: 25/10/2017
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