The proposal that food outlets close their doors by midnight to reduce social problems appears to be another case of politicians attempting to legislate how businesses should operate. An earlier case is how the public should dress when visiting government departments, the merit of which is still being debated and now even Cuepacs is supporting it.

Fasting is said to be mandatory for one community but others, including school children, are being ‘directed’ to eat away from the eyes of those fasting.

Do the ‘leaders’ think that some people are so weak minded that they will be ‘aroused’ just by seeing a woman in a short skirt and that the ‘iman’ of those fasting will be shaken if they were to see others having food?

It is said that ‘fasting’ is a test to challenge the ‘iman’, but then if such temptations are ‘hidden’ from their view, would this not make the ‘challenge’ not in line with the objective of the test?

Leaders should have more faith in the integrity and faith of the people and not protect them from challenges and let them be ‘berdikari’ (independent).