The owner of a "Muslims-only" laundrette in Muar has decided to open his business to anybody after a stern warning was issued by Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (photo).

According to several news reports, the owner of the business said he hoped he would be granted an audience with the ruler to apologise personally.

"I will adhere to His Majesty's instructions. I apologise to His Majesty and to the people of Johor," the unnamed business owner is quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

The business owner said he had not intended for this issue to turn into such a big deal.

According to Sin Chew Daily, the laundrette owner had removed a signboard that stated only Muslims were allowed to use the laundrette.

The owner also said he had been visited by several government agencies of late. 

Sultan Ibrahim had warned that the business owner must stop discriminating against his customers or risk being shut down. 

The ruler said that Johor was a progressive, modern and moderate state populated by people of all races and religions. 

"This is not a Taliban state and as the head of Islam in Johor, I find this action to be totally unacceptable as this is extremist in nature," Sultan Ibrahim said, according to The Star.