Malay city folk are split over Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin's suggestion for religious departments to use their resources to help the poor instead of catching those who do not fast during Ramadan.

The women Malaysiakini spoke to were firm with their opinion that there was no need to use limited resources to catch Muslims who skip fasting as it is more important to help the poor and needy.

The men, on the other hand, stressed that enforcement by religious departments, when it comes to fasting, was necessary - but they agreed that the resources may also be used to assist the poor.

Accounts executive Linda Abdul Kasim said she believes there is an overwhelming number of poor people in the country.

"I agree that the resources should be used to help the poor because there are just so many of them."

And Islamic religious officers, observed Linda, were not looking for those in need of help...