Six hawkers were caught selling food to Muslim customers during fasting hours in a raid by enforcement officers from the Melaka Religious Department (JAIM).
Rahmad Mariman, chairman of Melaka's education, higher education and religious affairs committee, said that a total of nine individuals, comprising six men and three women between their 20s and 40s, were detained in the operation.
The raid happened at 11:10am on Mar. 5 at a food court in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, according to The Star.
Melaka Religious Department
"Checks revealed that the traders had begun selling food as early as 9am to customers despite being aware that the act constitutes an offence."
Rahmad said JAIM would intensify monitoring operations at several locations till Ramadan's fasting month is over to ensure Melaka's Syariah laws are adhered to.
Both customers & hawkers detained
Rahmad said in an interview with Malaysian media on Mar. 8 that among those detained were three customers who were believed to have not observed the fast and were "unable to provide reasonable explanations for committing the offence".
Melaka Syariah
He said that the majority of those detained were self-employed, while the rest were in the private sector.
"We are disappointed with the attitude of those who disregard the sensitivities of the holy month purely in pursuit of profit."
The detainees were issued notices to attend proceedings related to their alleged breach of the Melaka Syariah Offences Enactment 1991, Section 49, said Rahmad.
Melaka Syariah Offences Enactment
According to The Star, Section 49 states that it is an offence for Muslims to eat, drink, or sell food during fasting hours for immediate consumption.
It is punishable by a fine of up to RM1,000 (S$322.78) or imprisonment of up to six months.
Repeat offenders have their maximum sentences doubled, with a fine of up to RM2,000 (S$645.56) and 12 months' jail.
Star Section
Smokers are also not exempt from the laws, with those found smoking during fasting hours facing a fine of up to RM500 (S$161.43)
Top photo from Sinar Harian
Checks revealed that the traders had begun selling food as early as 9am to customers despite being aware that the act constitutes an offence.
Where this fits
Retail decisions rarely happen all at once. What looks like a sudden change of direction is usually the visible end of months of testing, costing and quiet negotiation behind the scenes.
What to remember
- Six hawkers were caught selling food to Muslim customers during fasting hours in a raid by enforcement officers from the Melaka Religious Department (JAIM)
- Rahmad Mariman, chairman of Melaka's education, higher education and religious affairs committee, said that a total of nine individuals, comprising six men and three women between their 20s and 40s, were detained in the operation
- "Checks revealed that the traders had begun selling food as early as 9am to customers despite being aware that the act constitutes an offence."
- Rahmad said JAIM would intensify monitoring operations at several locations till Ramadan's fasting month is over to ensure Melaka's Syariah laws are adhered to
- "We are disappointed with the attitude of those who disregard the sensitivities of the holy month purely in pursuit of profit."
The numbers worth knowing
- The detainees were issued notices to attend proceedings related to their alleged breach of the Melaka Syariah Offences Enactment 1991, Section 49, said Rahmad
- It is punishable by a fine of up to RM1,000 (S$322.78) or imprisonment of up to six months
- Repeat offenders have their maximum sentences doubled, with a fine of up to RM2,000 (S$645.56) and 12 months' jail
- Smokers are also not exempt from the laws, with those found smoking during fasting hours facing a fine of up to RM500 (S$161.43)
In short
None of this settles the wider question. It does make one thing harder to ignore: the pressure in the food industry has shifted, and others will have to respond to it.