In Year of the Dog, Malaysia plays down, skirts dog decorations

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Some Malaysian businesses are skirting around or playing down the portrayal of canines in Chinese New Year decorations this year, wary of offending the country’s Muslim majority in the Year of the Dog. Dogs are considered “unclean” under Islamic tradition and Muslims are required to carry out a ritual of washing themselves if they are in contact with the animal.

Multicultural Malaysia has seen an increasing intolerance toward activities considered insulting to Islam, reflected in protests in recent years of beer festivals and concerts. While Muslim Malays are the biggest ethnic group among Malaysia’s 32 million people, Chinese make up the second-biggest group.

Twelve animals, including a dog and a pig, another animal Muslims consider as unclean, make up the traditional Chinese zodiac.

At MyTOWN, a Kuala Lumpur shopping center, the mall downplayed the depiction of dogs in its decorations. “We have the dogs but it’s in how we (display) them. They are not the main object,” said Head of Marketing Christopher Koh, so that the canine would not appear like an idol. “It’s the same with the pig (for the Year of the Boar), Malaysian retailers won’t usually put up a giant pig as a centerpiece.”

Chinese Malaysian Wong Wei-Shen, who has several dogs as pets, said businesses were being “ridiculous”. “Every zodiac animal has its good attributes, and the dog represents a guide, a best friend, a comforter and loyal friend.” said Wong.