'Muslim-only' sign a request from customers, says launderette owner

Yasmin Ramlan Yasmin Ramlan Updated 6 years ago · Published on 28 Sep 2017 11:00AM · 4 Comments

A sticker stating that a machine is for the use of Muslim customers only stuck on a dryer at Elit Laundry in Muar, Johor. The owner says his decision to cater to Muslims is based on hygiene reasons, a move backed by several state religious figures in Malaysia. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 28, 2017.

HOURS after getting a dressing-down from the state ruler, the owner of a launderette in Muar, Johor, switched his story, saying his “Muslim-only” sign was a demand from his regulars.

He had earlier said his decision to cater to Muslims was on hygiene reasons, a move backed by several state religious figures in Malaysia.

The owner of Elit Laundry, who declined to give his name, told The Malaysian Insight in a telephone interview last night that a majority of his clientele were Muslims who lived in surrounding neighbourhoods.

“This was a request from my customers,” he said.

“I have many regular customers who are Muslims, so they requested for this (Muslim-only). That’s all there is to it,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said business has not been affected, despite the controversy his launderette sparked off this week.

“No, it’s been the same. I have a fixed customer base, which means no new customers, no fewer– the same.”

According to residents living nearby, the launderette has been operating for more than a year, but the Muslim-only sign was only erected about a month ago.

The owner earlier issued an apology to the people of Johor and to Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who delivered a stinging criticism against him.

Sultan Ibrahim said the incident had caused the royal family to be “deeply appalled” and threatened to shut down the launderette unless the owner stopped his “discriminatory practices” and issued a public apology.

The laundrette owner said he accepted and will adhere to the sultan’s command to scrap his Muslim-only business plan.

“I obeyed the sultan’s command. I also apologise to His Majesty and the people of Johor over what happened.

“I hope the trouble caused these last few days will pass. I have taken down the (Muslim-friendly) sign.”

The owner was earlier quoted in other news reports as saying he was merely upholding his duty as a Muslim to ensure the purity of the service he was offering.

It was reported that state Islamic leaders supported the launderette owner, saying the issue has been blown out of proportion, and that it should be accepted in the right way.

Social media users, however, including CIMB group chairman Nazir Razak, lauded the sultan’s condemnation of the launderette owner and hit out at what many see as a decline in moderate Islamic values.

Nazir took to his Instagram account to praise Sultan Ibrahim for his “firm and clear voice” against extremism.

“Now, that is leadership. The social fabric of our multicultural nation is under attack, so it is such a relief to hear His Majesty’s firm and clear voice,” Nazir said.

“No hedging, no politics,” wrote the younger brother of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

A Facebook user Pilocarpine commented: “Divisive mindsets, Talibanisation and overtones to misuse and abuse religion for personal gain have no place in Johor, and by extension, the whole Malaysia.

“Thank you, Sultan for the brutal rebuttal to this fiasco.”  

On Facebook, Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who had previously criticised the Muslim-only launderette, also reacted to the sultan’s order with a one-liner: “We need to be moderate and progressive.” – September 28, 2017.

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Comments

  • I believe it. The Johor Sultan changed NOTHING. Its not the laundrette owner or the customers fault. They did what their leaders told them to do, send them mixed signals. The issue is UMNO-PAS axis. Not them.

    Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • At the end of the day, in a capitalist world, you deliver what your customers want to be profitable -- not what the Sultan, politicians, critics want, unless they're the customers too.

    The laundry owner might as well use some tact and smarter way to cater to all his customers, like separate machines or different pricing scheme.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kuasa Rakyat · Reply

    • "The laundry owner might as well use some tact and smarter way to cater to all his customers, like separate machines or different pricing scheme"
      Why does he need to? When it is basically a ketuanan rights and need not to spare a thought for others. they are in no wrong. It is a sign of incompetence in the administrative duties of the Government institution. Did you not hear the deafening silence of our PM only until when the Johore Royal Household told the laundrette owner to vamoose if he still intend to carry on. AND that also was a very meek comment which is worse than a slap on the wrist.

      Posted 6 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • It is high time that the religious institution in Malaysia be rein in and the rakyats are looking up to the Royal Household in each states to place a check on the Talibanisation nonscences. The PM has placed the Royal Family who are head of the Islam religion in a predicament by his deep silence even when the whole country are having uproar over confounded actions which are maglinant in the purpose of breaking down the harmony where at such juncture are so much needed. The indifferent actions by PM is seen by many to be in cohorts with the Mullah wanabees . He needs to be reprimanded and be told to do his job rather than using this as a political tool in holding the rakayat to bondage. Shame on him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply