IT is the second day of the Ramadan fasting month, observed by the 1.6 billion Muslims across the world. Thus far, no one has spoken about charity, the one aspect of the fasting month that is encouraged.

Instead, we in Malaysia read state religious authorities warning Muslims to not prematurely break their dawn-to-dusk fast in public. Or they will be dealt with severely.

The few who buy newspapers get to read full-page advertisements advising Muslims not to over-indulge when breaking fast or buying groceries during Ramadan.

One state religious authority has printed and hung buntings telling Muslims to stop being eager beavers in buying food for the breaking of fast. Some states have also told food pedlars and restaurants to only start business in the evenings.

You get the picture. Malaysian Muslims appear not to observe their fast that well. They are prone to go off the rails and give in to their lust or gluttony as the case may be.

More than that, the advertisements, warnings and operations are instructive about Islam in Malaysia. It is a top-down approach and money is being used to keep Muslims in control rather than for charity.

Of course, the state authorities have their rights and laws to enforce, as noted by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today.

He took to Twitter expressing concern about policing those who do not fast during Ramadan, noting that it was controversial but assets used to police those not fasting should be used for the needy instead.

Khairy is right here. Assets and funds used to pay for advertisements particularly the #janganlebihlebih campaign, buntings telling people to buy their food later or pay for enforcement of fasting are better used for the poor.

The government and state agencies can provide the money to mosques and suraus to feed the poor and homeless instead of just leaving that to civil society, charity groups and prosperous individuals who do their bit for charity.

As for the annual warnings to ensure Muslims fast, leave it to the parents and also the imams and mosque officials to drum it into their flock every Friday.

The reality is Muslims know they should respect the fasting month. They learn that at home and in school. Is it such a huge problem that state authorities must issue annual reminders? If anything, it makes Malaysian Muslims appear to be a deviant lot.

The religious authorities should spend their time and resources ensuring that all Muslims get to fast and break their fast well irrespective of class and wealth. Not policing their fast. – May 28, 2017.