ALOR SETAR – Kedah DAP has called on the PAS-led state government to stop punishing an entire industry just because of the misconduct of a minority that may not even be in the state.
Responding to online viral reports that the Alor Setar City Council has stopped issuing licences for massage and reflexology centres within its city limits to curb alleged “immoral activities," Kedah DAP chairman Tan Kok Yew said that the local authorities are overreacting.
Firstly, PAS needs to understand that they live in a multi-racial society and hence there is a need to be more tolerant in a nation as diversified as Malaysia, he said.
These wellness outlets are usually dominated by non-Muslims in terms of the operators, workers and customers, he added.
"DAP has yet to receive reports that massage parlours are fronts for immoral activities. Perhaps this is so in other locations (big cities), but in tiny and conservative Kedah there is hardly any report of prostitution originating from such premises," said Tan in an interview.
Secondly, there are mechanisms, such as law enforcement by the police, the Rela federal reserve force, the city council and civil defence personnel, to keep tabs on premises that may operate as fronts for immortality, said Tan.
Thirdly, if such activities do occur, the enforcement needs to be stepped up to nab the offenders, instead of resorting to a blanket ban on all operators, he stressed.
"Think of the livelihoods that would be affected by the ban. Have they done anything wrong? Why punish the majority when the culprits are the minority?"
Tan also said that Kedah has conveniently forgotten that reflexology and massage have wellness value. The service provides treatment for physical conditions like joints and blood circulation problems.
"Body massage is traditional in nature and has long existed as a form of therapy. It has given rise to the mushrooming of physiotherapy outlets in the country," he said.
In a social media post, the Alor Setar City Council had said that the decision to cease issung licences was in line with a Kedah government decision on June 21.
Last June, outspoken Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor said the state was considering not renewing the licences of massage parlours, given the “immoral” activities taking place in such outlets.
“We will only approve reflexology outlets which meet (certain) conditions. If the licence is for a reflexology centre, better be sure it is just for your legs, not to massage something else," he had said.
Since taking over in 2020, the PAS-led state government has also banned 4D gaming shops and restricted the sale of alcohol tourism-friendly and non-Muslim localities.
Malaysian Wellness and Spa Association president Jet Lim urged the state government to reconsider the decision and only go after those who defy the law, instead of targetting the whole industry.
It is estimated that there are over 10,000 spa and wellness centres operating in the country. It is a common feature to have such facilities in touristy areas. – The Vibes, October 8, 2023
