TERENGGANU has reinforced its ban on unisex hair salons in the PAS-led state and operators who go against the gender-segregation licensing regulation will face a fine between RM500 and RM1,000.
According to state executive councillor Datuk Dr Alias Razak, this was not a new rule; rather, it is an existing licensing regulation under the jurisdiction of the local government.
“The hair salon or barbershop, be it run by Muslims or non-Muslims, is not allowed to provide haircut services for both men and women at the same time,” he was reported as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
The state housing and local government committee chairperson further warned that operators who do not abide by the licensing regulations will face a fine or have their license revoked.
“There is no exemption for hair salons or barbershops run by non-Muslims. If we allow non-Muslim female hairdressers to provide haircuts for male customers, Muslim men may visit the shop,” he remarked.
During a debate session at the state assembly sitting on Tuesday (Nov 29) state assemblyperson Zuraida Md Noor called for enforcement action to be taken to ensure that barbershops and spas in the state observe Syariah requirements and gender-segregation regulations.
She said barbershops for men should only be managed by men and hairdressing salons for women should only be managed by women.
Zuraida further questioned the extent of which these regulations are complied with, adding that she had received complaints from locals who had voiced their concerns about men and women appearing in the same premise.
She also noted that this also happened in spas and beauty salons, and demanded to know how the hairdressing industry and beauty salons could overlook such a major issue. — Dec 1, 2022
Main photo credit: Time Out
