In light of a laundrette being accused of discriminating against non-Muslims, a DAP lawmaker has called for the introduction of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching had said on Facebook that “the principle is really simple, if today I opened a shop that was only for non-Muslims, do you think I would be arrested?”

Elaborating on the post, Teo told Malaysiakini that the laundrette issue was a case of “clear-cut discrimination.”

“There is no good justification for it, how can be a dobi (laundrette) be halal and non-halal? Is this reasonable and acceptable? I don’t think it is.

“But if I recommend that action be taken against the owner, people will use this against us (DAP).

“It’s time we think about having an anti-discrimination law that addresses discrimination on the grounds of religion, race and gender,” she said.

Teo insisted that the protections to ensure equality under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution – which states that citizens should not be discriminated against on the grounds of religion, race, descent or place of birth – were insufficient.

“It (the constitution) is only applicable to the public sector, not the private sector,” she said.

Pictures of the laundrette, located in Muar, Johor, went viral last week when it was reported that a sign on the premises reminded customers that only Muslims were allowed to use its laundry machines.

The laundrette operator maintained that he was not a racist, explaining that the shop’s policy was to ensure cleanliness for his clientele, most of whom are Muslims.  

It has since copped outrage from the public and business leaders, as well as a dressing-down from the Johor sultan himself, who said Johor was no “Taliban state.”

The owner eventually took heed of the sultan’s criticism and removed the sign, saying people from all religions would be able to patron his laundromat from now on.