HR Ministry Urged To Take Action Against KL Eatery For Sacking Employee Wearing A Cross
Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii called the act by the Bukit Bintang restaurant "highly discriminatory".
Two members of parliament (MPs) are urging the Ministry of Human Resources to take action against a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur for sacking an employee who was wearing a cross necklace at work
According to The Borneo Post, Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii and Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran have strongly condemned the act by Mon Chinese Beef Roti Restaurant.
Yii called the act "highly discriminatory, against the law, and a challenge to the freedom of religion in the country" in a statement on Tuesday, 21 November.
The parliamentarian said there is no legal basis preventing non-Muslims from preparing halal food when requirements at the restaurant are met.
"The restaurant should have simply released a statement assuring the public that all guidelines on halal food preparations are being strictly followed.
"There was no need to resort to sacking an honest worker who was simply exercising his right to express his faith," said Yii.
Image via Nurul Shafina Jemenon/New Straits Times
Former human resource minister Kulasegaran said the issue could also become a significant problem if immediate action is not taken by the authorities, as it touched on religious sensitivities
"What actions have been taken by the [Ministry of Human Resources]? As I recall, there is a specific provision in the Employment Act for action to be taken," he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
He expressed worry that one day even Hindu workers with holy ash on their forehead may face issues with their employers at the workplace, resulting in their unfair termination.
"Has immediate action been taken? If not, it should be taken," he said.
Earlier this week, the Muslim-run restaurant selling halal Chinese-style beef buns in Bukit Bintang admitted that they terminated a staff member after he was spotted wearing a cross necklace while preparing food at the restaurant in a viral video
Social media users had questioned whether the restaurant was trying to deceive its patrons into thinking a non-Muslim employee was Muslim, because the employee in question was seen wearing both a cross necklace and a songkok.
In response, Harian Metro reported that the 27-year-old manager of the restaurant, who only wanted to be known as Sofia, confirmed the sacking of the individual and apologised to those who were offended for "overlooking the issue".
She said the restaurant promised to be more attentive to avoid overlooking matters that touched on the sensitivities of Muslims in the country.
"I admit it was a mistake on the part of the management for not thoroughly checking the background of our former employee," she told Harian Metro.
She said the restaurant, which is in the midst of getting a halal certificate, is still operating with all Chinese Muslim staff.
The manager of Mon Chinese Beef Roti Restaurant, who only wanted to be known as Sofia.
Image via Aziah Azmee/Harian Metro
In 2020, a Malaysian actress slammed a netizen for asking if she was wearing a holy cross necklace:
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