The state of Terengganu is toughening up its prohibition on unisex hair salons, and business owners who break the gender-segregating licensing rule will now be subject to fines between RM500 and RM1,000.
According to state executive councillor Alias Razak, the law is not new, and the existing licencing regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the local government.
The chairman of the state housing and local government committee issued a warning that business owners that violated this law risked having their licences revoked in addition to a fine.
“The hair salons or barbershops, be it run by Muslims or non-Muslims, are not allowed to provide haircut services to men and women on the same premises,” he was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
He said that non-Muslim owners of these establishments are subject to the law, saying: “If we permit non-Muslim female hairdressers to trim the hair of male clients, Muslim males may visit the shop.”
One of the four state governments led by PAS is Terengganu. The Islamist party also holds the states of Perlis, Kedah, and Kelantan.
According to reports, state-appointed assemblywoman Zuraida Md Noor advocated for enforcement action against barbershops and spas in the state that disobey Shariah rules during a debate session at the Terengganu assembly on Nov. 29.
“I have received complaints from locals who voiced concerns over men and women patronising the same barbershops.
“This has also happened on spa premises and beauty salons. I wonder how the hairdressing industry and beauty salons can overlook this major issue.”
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