Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim will file a legal challenge against the Kelantan government for ordering pasar malam (night market) traders to stop their business during maghrib (after sunset) prayers.

"I'm filing a suit against the Kelantan government this week.

"The ruling to stop pasar malam traders during maghrib prayers is illegal.

"The ruling to disallow traders not to open shop before 3pm during Ramadan is also illegal," he said in a series of tweets on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Zaid branded the Kelantan government leadership as "irresponsible".

"Many of their policies have no basis in law. They just capitalised on Muslims who are scared to be branded jahil (ignorant)," he said.

Zaid was also unfazed about the possible backlash he may face from the legal challenge.

"Well, Allah will decide if I am jahil; Not some half-baked ulama (religious scholar) seeking political position in Kelantan," he said.

Yesterday, former Kelantan exco Husam Musa had also questioned the state government's move to expand the pause to non-Muslim businesses during maghrib prayers.

"In this case, non-Muslims don't need to pray (during maghrib). So why is this ruling being expanded to non-Muslims?

"It is enough to enforce it on Muslims only," said Husam, who is now Parti Amanah Negara vice-president.

In an immediate response, Kelantan state government's information secretariat director Ashaari Mamat said the people in Kelantan have made it a practice to stop their business during maghrib prayers. 

"Unfortunately, a Malay leader with secular mindset does not accept this regulation. It is very unfortunate for the rakyat," he said as quoted by PAS mouthpiece Harakah. 

Such regulation should be supported as it educates the people to go for prayers as soon as possible, he said.