KUALA LAMPUR (AFP)
An undercover Islamic team in Malaysia is on the look-out for Muslims who violate Ramadan by eating, drinking or smoking during the day-time, a report said Monday.
Authorities in Kota Baru, state capital of Kelantan, told the New Straits Times that plain-clothes officers would spy on food outlets and hand out fines of 20 ringgit (six dollars) to those caught cheating during the Muslim fasting month.
During Ramadan, which began last week, observant Muslims abstain from eating, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.
"This is the first time the council is taking this action as we have received numerous complaints about those who eat openly during the fasting period," city council public relations director Azman Mohd Daham said.
Muslim food outlets will be slapped with 500 ringgit (144 dollar) fines for violating a directive to remain closed until 3pm, he said.
Kelantan is the only Malaysian state governed by the Islamic opposition party, PAS.
Last year it triggered a furor by introducing fines for women who work in shops and restaurants wearing revealing clothes such as mini-skirts or see-through blouses. |
