The PAS-led Pakatan Rakyat government of Kedah has banned all entertainment outlets in the state from conducting their businesses during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in August.

According to Chinese daily Guang Ming , the state government has issued a written directive to all district offices informing of the unprecedented decision.

However, all activities related to religion are allowed to proceed, although the organisers should make applications to district office, the report said.

MCA slammed the directive as a serious infringement of the basic human rights and constitutional rights of non-Muslims.

The party's young professionals bureau chief, Chua Tee Yong, said the ban involved 13 types of entertainment outlets, including cinema theatres, snooker centres, electronic games centres, karaoke outlets, bowling centres and pubs.

But according to a report in the Star quoting Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, cybercafes, bowling and snooker centres are excluded from the ban.

Azizan also said live band performances with singers at bars, hotels, restaurants and eatery outlets and areas easily accessed by the public were also not allowed.

All Chinese eateries and outlets that catered for international customers were allowed to operate as normal, including fast food restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's and Pizza Hut, according to the report.

penang kedah timber logging azizan abdul razak 310708 03 Chua slammed the ban as disrespecting the rights of non-Muslims and said that it would affect their daily lives.

He demanded that Azizan ( left ) give an explanation and DAP, which supports its coalition party PAS in the Pakatan state government, should also be held responsible.

"In order to prove that they can protect the rights of Chinese in the state and to ensure no unfair policy against non-Muslims, they have to take action," he said in a statement today.

Apart from the ban, the Alor Star city council has also restricted local chain restaurants from carrying out their business before 3pm during the holy month.

"PAS has been claiming that its policies only affect the Muslim community, with the non-Muslim community left untouched. But this directive implemented by Azizan seriously violates the freedom and rights of non-Muslims.

"Even cinemas are not allowed to operate. Can PAS say this has no effect on non-Muslims?" Chua asked.

"I'm worried that other Pakatan Rakyat state governments in Selangor and Penang will implement the same directive to show their conformity," he said, adding that PAS had not given up its ultimate aim of establishing an Islamic state.

"The so-called welfare state is only a illusion."

Later today, Azizan clarified that the regulations imposed on entertainment outlets this Ramadan come under the state Entertainment Enactment 1997 and are not part of any new policy.

The enactment had been in existence from the time BN ruled the

state, but had not been fully enforced before, he said.

Azizan said the enactment prohibited bands and other live shows in

restaurants, bars, discos, karaoke centres and other night spots during Ramadan.

However, he said further, exceptions could be made for religious events on condition that they did not cause any commotion.

"For example, in August the Chinese community wants to celebrate the  Hungry Ghost festival. So, they have to apply in writing," Bernama reported him as telling reporters after chairing an executive council meeting in Alor Setar.

Yesterday, several entertainment centre operators expressed disappointment with state government action disallowing them to renew their entertainment licence during Ramadan.