OUTof LINE Nazri slams hotels for PROHIBITING frontline staff from wearing hijab

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has lashed out at international hotel chains here t hat are prohibiting their Muslim frontline staff from wearing hijabs, calling them “kurang ajar” (impudent).

He said t he action showed t he establishments were irresponsible and lack respect for the country’s culture and that it was against the Federal Constitution.

“This ( hij ab ban) i s a f orm of discrimination. In the Constitution, it is clear that there must not be any form of discrimination, be it against a religion, race, language or other (subjects).

“If it is true that this hijab ban is part of their standard operating procedure (SOP), then they are kurang ajar. Anyone who defends these SOPs are also kurang ajar, especially if they are Malaysians,” he said after officiating at the pre-launch of the 3rd KL International Craft Festival at the Parliament building yesterday.

Nazri’s statement came after a number of organisations, including the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), highlighted that Muslim employees in hotels were being told to remove their hijabs when working in frontline positions.

On Saturday, the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) defended the policy, saying it is international practice and part of SOP for the hotels concerned, and is not