Laudromat caught in Muslim-only controversy stirs up a sleepy Muar

MUAR — Taman Seri Cempaka is a quiet and sleepy residential area in Muar, Johor, lined with neat rows of low-rise houses and shops with red-tiled roofs.

The Straits of Malacca lies barely one kilometre to the west, separated by dense vegetation, while the bustling Muar town is 10-minute drive north.

Amidst the tranquility in Taman Seri Cempaka, a 24-hour self-service laudromat here has made national headlines for its Muslim only policy.

Painted in bright yellow and orange and equipped with around 20 washing machines and dryers, it is a short walk from several Malay kampungs where most of its customers likely come from.

When TODAY visited the shop on Wednesday (Sept 27), a banner at the entrance proclaimed that it is Bumiputera owned and there is a promotional price of RM3 (S$0.97) per load.

Gone however was the controversial sign that said it only allowed Muslim customers at the premise.

That was taken down in the morning after the Sultan of Johor criticised the owner for his discriminatory practice.

But every dryer machine still had signs with the words “Untuk Pelanggan Beragama Islam Sahaja” (For Muslim Customers Only).

On the walls are instructions in both English and Malay.

An employee from a neighbouring shop told TODAY that the launderette has been operating for one and a half years but the Muslim-only signage was put up only recently.

“This is the owner’s business decision and he has the freedom to do what he wants,” said the employee who wanted to be known as Ms Gan.

She said she has no problems with the laundry operator, saying that the laudromat owner is friendly.

“He always greet us with a hello whenever we see him,” she said.

There were hardly any customers during the three hours TODAY was there in the afternoon.

It is not known if this is due to the controversy.

To be sure, a motor repair shop and a Muslim eatery next door were equally deserted.

A laudromat customer who did not want to be named said she agreed with the operator’s Muslim only policy.

“As a Muslim, I want peace of mind that the machines have not been used to wash materials that may have come into contact with dogs or non-halal matters,” she told TODAY, adding that she use the facility an average of twice a week.

“Before the sign board was put up, there were some non-Muslim patrons and I was worried over ‘cleanliness’ aspect,” said the 61-year-old retiree.

But other Muar residents said they were against the move.

“There is no reason for this. What else is next? Will we see a future where we can’t use money that has been handed or touched by non Muslims? We won’t work with non Muslims?” said marketing manager Ahmad Anwar Asyraf.

Retiree Anthony Joseph described the move by the operator as ”utter madness”, while praising the Sultan for his comments.

“We are Bangsa Johor and such practice should not take place here at all or anywhere else in the country,” he said.

The state’s Bangsa Johor concept, bases its development on fostering unity through respect for race, religion and culture.

The operator of the establishment has apologised for his actions and said he would stop the Muslim only practice.

This came after Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar ordered the laundromat to cease the practice, saying it was embarrassing and against his inclusive vision of a Bangsa Johor.

The Sultan also said such “nonsense” was unacceptable, and told the laundry operator that he must either comply or risk enforced closure.

“This is not a Taliban state and as the Head of Islam in Johor, I find this action to be totally unacceptable as this is extremist in nature,” he was quoted as saying.

“I want the owner to apologise to me and the people of Johor. He has made Johoreans very angry and embarrassed because this is not the Johor we want.”

Attempts by TODAY to speak to the operator proved futile as he was not at the premise and calls to his phone went unanswered.

But in an interview with the New Straits Times, the man who wished to remained anonymous explained he wanted to cater to the demands of his customers when he decided to limit the patrons to only Muslims. He also said it was a business decision, and he had considered the feedback he has been receiving from his customers who were 90 per cent Muslims.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has lauded the operator’s apology. In a statement, the premier said there was basis in the concerns raised by the Sultan that the entrepreneur’s actions would lead to a narrow image of Islam, contrary to the country’s desire to nurture a united, harmonious, moderate and tolerant society.

“The government will remain committed to upholding the true Islamic teachings while protecting the interests of the other communities as demanded of Islam,” said Mr Najib.