A WATER park near Sungai Petani has generated ripples of interest not only for its recreational attractions but also due to an odd feature – it limits the use of its pools to Muslims only.
After The Vibes was alerted to comments on social media about this alleged policy, a call was made to the theme park, which is a 30-minute drive from the commercial centre of the blue-collar town in southern Kedah.
A staff member, who asked not to be named, was cordial and friendly in responding. He confirmed that the pools are restricted to Muslims.
He reasoned that the facility is small and the management caters to local villagers in the nearby Kuala Muda area who are predominantly Muslims.
The employee said that non-Muslims are welcome to patronise but not to use the pools because there is a limit on the number of persons allowed in.
"We are a small outfit and we mostly only cater to the villagers," he said, referring to residents in nearby vicinities.
The Berangan Aqua Park is located at Kampung Kelang Makau, which is surrounded by tranquil padi fields and cottage homes.
It is classified as a tourism product on the Internet. Netizens have also apparently branded it as "Muslim only".
A check on Google this morning showed that the "Muslim only" label that appeared via a search on the platform and on Google Maps has been removed.
A video posted on YouTube to promote the park describes it as 'Taman Tema Air Muslim Pertama di Utara Semenanjung Malaysia' (first Muslim water theme park in northern Peninsular Malaysia).
The water park was launched in 2021. It was reported in September that year that the facility was designed to handle up to 50,000 visitors annually.
The owner was a diversified local company called the Berangan Group. The chairperson Badrulhisham Bahasar reportedly told Sinar Harian that the daily capacity was about 100 to 130 persons whereas during the Covid-19 pandemic it was restricted to 30 and 50 persons daily.
The theme park is nestled in a semi-rural village setting.
In a short review published on Top-Rated.online last year, one patron had remarked via Google that she was confused over the policy.
"This place is strictly for Muslims. I don't know what's the real reason behind this policy,” she wrote.
“I suggest to put up a signboard 'no dog allowed', 'no pork/alcohol allowed', 'no bikini' instead of saying Muslims only."
Another patron posted that it was a “Muslim-friendly” facility.
When sought for comments, a travel trade player said that the park may be a private entity, like a club, which can impose conditions on the type of visitors it receives.
"But if it is mooted as a tourism venture, it is difficult to impose conditions such as (on the basis of) Muslim and non-Muslim unless they (patrons) have documentation to prove they belong to which religion," he said. "Such personal matters are not usually disclosed in the open."
An Indian may be a Muslim or a non-Muslim, likewise a Chinese, the member said.
Attempts were made to contact the Kedah state executive councillor in charge of tourism Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin for him to offer his perspective on the matter.
Kedah DAP chairman Tan Kok Yeow said that he was unaware of such a theme park.
A local hotelier based in Sungai Petani said that the facility seems to still be under development with phase one being the theme park.
Lawyer S. Raveentharan, founder of civil rights group Lawyers for Justice, said that a theme park area is usually gazetted as a public recreational site.
If it is restricted to Muslims only, it goes against the spirit of the formation of Malaysia as a multi-ethnic nation with strong tolerance and understanding, he said.
It also goes against the spirit of 'Madani' espoused by the Malaysian government which promotes understanding and goodwill, but perhaps the management has valid reasons, said Raveentharan.
Comments posted on social media show that more people have become aware of the ruling. – The Vibes, February 2, 2024
