Brunei Chinese restaurants write in to request for operating during fasting month by closing doors

Sin Chew Daily, 24 June 2015

(Brunei, Seri Begawan, 23 June) Many Chinese restaurant owners in Brunei write a joint letter to the Religious Affairs Department requesting for permission to operate their business in a closed-door manner during day time in fasting month.

It is learned that 17 restaurant operators touch on the difficulty of unable to operate during fasting month that they need to pay for staff salary and expenses. If they are unable to operate as normal, this would not bring them profit and they would have to bear all the costs.

These operators hope that the department can re-consider the decision and allow Chinese restaurants to operate during day time in fasting month.

They also point out that operating in a closed door manner would prevent outsiders from noticing the restaurant, especially Muslims.

Brunei Religious Department: non-Muslims are to abide by law, no eating and drinking in public places

The Religious Affairs Department of Brunei has replied on 15 June that notice has been issued that all citizens of Brunei, Muslims and non-Muslims are not supposed to drink, eat or smoke in public places including restaurants and coffee shops during fasting month.

The department said Islamic hudud law also stated that act of eating, drinking and smoking in public places during fasting month are offences. The act has been enforced on 1 May last year.

According to clause 195 of hudud law, drinking, eating or smoking during fasting month is liable to a maximum fine of 4,000 or one year jail, except for those who are ill or required to take medication.

Although eating in the restaurant is not allowed during fasting month, the public still can take away in restaurants.

Original Source: 汶萊華人餐廳致函要求‧“准齋戒月閉門營業＂