So why not have a referendum to find out, the former law minister suggested today.
“Why don’t we ask the Kelantan people what they want? But, of course, we must ask the traders first, because this policy involves their livelihood.
“Mustapa never sold anything in a pasar malam (night market), so how can he know how tough life is for these traders?” Zaid told FMT.
Mustapa, who is Kelantan Umno liaison committee chief, was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying that the 15-minute blanket ban on trading at dusk was something the people wanted.
“The state government is doing something that in their eyes is in line with the wishes of the people who are in favour of it,” he had said.
Zaid disagreed, pointing out that the state government’s duty was to be fair to everyone. In this case, the term “everyone” should also include the small traders who were looking to make ends meet, he added.
He claimed that Mustapa’s support for the policy was just a show and a way to gain popularity.
“He’s behaving like a PAS leader now, showing off his religious credentials. But this policy affects the livelihood of the small traders in Kelantan, and you have to be a small-time trader to know this.
“Pasar malam operates for only about three hours, and the people in Kelantan do go out and buy things there during Maghrib time as well.
“Of course, if you ask them this, they will say no. Because they don’t want to be called jahil (ignorant).”
Zaid said Mustapa’s support could have been motivated by the alleged electoral pact between Umno and PAS, the two strongest Malay parties in Malaysia.
“That’s why they support each other’s policies now. It is just political convenience.
“It has nothing to do with the welfare of the traders or the public. It’s all politics.”
On April 17, the Kelantan government said a policy requiring traders to stop their activities during Maghrib prayers also applied to non-Muslims.
State local government, housing and sports committee chairman Abdul Fattah Mahmood told FMT that all businesses must stop their activities for 10 to 15 minutes when the azan (call to prayer) was heard.
The move has come under fire from various quarters, with Kelantan Peranakan Chinese Association president Lim Kham Hong saying that non-Muslims should not be forced to comply.