The government of the Malaysia state of Terengganu, ruled by the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), has reinforced the ban on hair salons providing haircut services to both men and women.
Dr Alias Razak, the state executive councillor, has also warned that those who breach the ban will face a fine of up to RM1,000 and risk having their licenses revoked, according to the New Straits Times.
He said that the ban was not new and that it was already an existing licensing regulation under the state government’s jurisdiction.
He said that there are no exemptions to the law, and that hair salons and barbers are not allowed to provide haircutting services to both men and women, regardless if they are Muslims or not.
He added: “If we were to allow non-Muslim female hairdressers to provide haircuts for male customers, there is a possibility that Muslim men will go and patronise them too.”
The reinforcement of the ban comes following the issue being raised at the Terengganu state assembly on 29 November.
Zuraida Md Noor, a state assemblyperson, wanted stern action to make sure that barbershops and spas in Terengganu adhered to Syariah requirements and gender segregation regulations.
She added that men should run barbershops for men, and hair salons must be run by women.