KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) today appeared to come to the defence of a laundrette in Muar that earned the wrath of Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, saying the issue was blown out of proportion.
Instead, PPIM chief Nadzim Johan attempted to link the issue with complaints that some Chinese-owned companies refuse to hire non-Chinese.
“For example, some places employ only Chinese,” he told FMT.
Nadzim said the “Muslims only” policy adopted by Elit Laundry in Muar, Johor should be viewed with an open mind.
“I don’t believe the person did it to hurt anybody, because he understands Islam,” he said in defending the laundrette owner.
In an interview with The Star published today, Sultan Ibrahim lashed out at the action of the laundrette owner, and demanded that he apologise to the people of Johor.
He also ordered the owner to end the policy or risk closure.
The owner, who declined to be named, has since removed the sign and issued an apology.
The Johor sultan’s strong comments today followed praise for the laundrette from state Islamic leaders, including the Johor Islamic Council adviser Nooh Gadut and the mufti Mohd Tahrir Samsudin.
But Nadzim said the issue had been blown out of proportion.
“To me, there is no issue and it should be accepted in the right way,” he said, adding that consumers had the right to choose.
“We should be open-minded. If it were me, I would go to that shop because I want to be clean. If others choose not to go, that is their right,” he added.