MALAYSIANS are always reminded to be considerate and mindful during Ramadan. Be kind, understanding and try to accommodate each other, whether one is fasting or not.
However, it seems that the staff at the Chicken Rice Shop in AEON Wangsa Maju didn’t get the message. This has led to as to a member of a renowned Facebook foodie forum getting the cold shoulder treatment when she was looking for some form of service.
Mindful that it is Ramadan, she had asked staff if she could dine in with an accompanying video clip showing the restaurant to be empty.
However, she was given short shrift as each staff member was either busy or on a break. None could be bothered to inform other staff members of this customer looking for service.
The poster went on to say that she left the shop after being “repeatedly ignored” by lackadaisical staff.
Quite a few netizens were perplexed as this was a franchise in a shopping mall. Is there an unofficial “serve Muslims only” memo from their employer during Ramadan?
One even argued that this was the consequence of having “Type M” (slang for Malays) staff) who tended to take matters into their own hands while making their own rules.
Or was it limited to dining in before breaking of fast times?
Another shared a similar experience where she was denied entry into an eatery towards the breaking of fast time approached. Blaming the restaurant staff, she has resorted to only dining in non-halal restaurants during Ramadan to avoid such hassle.
More than a few suggested lodging an official complaint on the Chicken Rice Shop FB page as well as the shopping mall’s management. This was clearly unacceptable practice, they contended.
There was also a perception that the staff were only keen to serve Muslim customers.
A few shared similar experiences at other restaurants while implying that such practice was bad for business.
One netizen reacted in a typically Malaysian fashion calling for a boycott.
One commenter contends that this was down to staff attitudes rather than the restaurant’s policy.
On the one hand, it must be said that such practice – official or otherwise – of serving only Muslims during Ramadan is just plain wrong. Generally speaking, it is wrong as a matter of principle to differentiate based on race, religion or gender.
On the other, just for Ramadan, can non-Muslims display a modicum of understanding? It really is no biggie to dine at non-halal restaurants, thus allowing their Muslim brethren to break fast in a convenient and conducive environment.
It really isn’t too much to ask.
But to avoid further friction, perhaps restaurants should put up a notice clearly stating its operating hours and that it will only cater to Muslim diners breaking fast during Ramadan. – March 4, 2025
Main image credit: wangsawalkmallofficial/Instagram
