The Terengganu government has ordered all supermarkets in the state to close from 12.30pm to 2.30pm on Fridays from January next year.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the decision was taken to avoid Muslim members of the public particularly youths not performing the Friday prayers and loaf around at these outlets.

"The state executive council (exco) gave its approval for this step to be taken at the Exco meeting last week," he told the state assembly in Kuala Terengganu today.

Hilmi Harun (PAS-Manir) had raised this issue when debating the state's budget for next year.

Meanwhile, Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abdul Rahman (BN-Kuala Besut) when debating the budget, urged the state government to consider alternative sources of energy like solar, wind and sea waves for the state's power needs.

- Bernama