ACCORDING to the Cambridge Dictionary, “to fan the flames” means to make a bad or tense situation worse by doing or saying things that increase anger, conflict or strong emotions.
Given the current climate, a recent exchange of frank opinions on the availability of surau facilities in commercial buildings in Penang has led to even more communal ill-feeling.
It began with Threader 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝘇𝘄𝗮𝗻 (@keylaazwan) asking why property developers did not provide proper surau facilities in areas that had many Muslim staff such as the GBS (Global Business Services) office at Queens Waterfront in Penang.
It was claimed that Muslims had to use the OKU (handicap) toilet to perform absolution.
Surely this wasn’t too much to ask to accommodate the many Muslim workers in the vicinity with proper and comfortable prayer facilities.
Unfortunately, the foodie’s perfectly reasonable query led to an ugly exchange where a commenter invited the poster to seek work elsewhere, specifically in PAS-ruled Kelantan.
It was posited that it was up to the developers or owners of the space to decide if they wish to accord such facilities and if the management feels that if such demands were unreasonable, perhaps the building wasn’t designed for “someone like you”.
This exchange obviously led to much venting of spleen from citizens aghast at this biadab (rude) retort from supposedly netizens of Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Slightly different rules in Penang
However, another Threader tried to diffuse the situation by attempting to shed light on the original query.
It was claimed that developers need to make a contribution towards the building of a surau in the vicinity if the building itself did not feature the necessary prayer facilities.
Editor’s Note: In Penang, the provision and allocation of surau facilities within commercial buildings are governed by local planning guidelines and state religious authorities.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) implement planning guidelines that explicitly dictate community and religious facility requirements.
- The Policy: Under category H4 (Guidelines for Islamic Places of Worship in Penang), developers proposing multi-storey commercial developments (such as shopping complexes, business centres, service apartments and SOHO projects) must allocate specific spaces designated as prayer space or musala.
- Local authority discretion: Specific space and design criteria (such as minimum square footage, separate ablution areas for men and women and structural considerations) are assessed during the Planning Permission phase based on the size and expected capacity of the development.
Developers cannot independently decide on the layout or management structure of the surau. The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) directly coordinates and provides mandatory technical reviews for all Islamic place of worship proposals within new real estate developments.
They verify that the proposed layout meets religious requirements before the local council issues building plan approvals.
Even though surau facilities are mandated, it has not stopped Muslim commenters based in Penang from feeling that their needs have not been properly addressed.
One disgruntled observer noted that Muslims in some buildings had to make do with prayer facilities that were no bigger than a storeroom.
This led to the very simple demand for an explanation.
Two things to note here.
Firstly, the rude response from the tone-deaf commenter suggesting the poster move to Kelantan is NOT to be encouraged nor tolerated.
But it is indicative of growing communal tensions as insults and disparaging remarks become normalised in everyday conversations.
If high-profile politicians and public figures are regularly allowed to shoot off their mouths sans reprisals, do not be surprised if the normal, everyday citizen follows suit. Two wrongs do not make a right but this growing friction needs to be addressed.
Secondly, there should be clear answers from the authorities on this perfectly reasonable query.
If proper prayer facilities exist in the areas mentioned, set the record straight. Highlight the mandatory requirements for this and the developments that have followed suit.
Netizens can name and shame the developments that do NOT meet these requirements. This is the power of social media which is amplified whenever polls are around the corner. – Oct 6 2026
