The Malaysian Insight

UNISEX hair salon operators in Terengganu are perplexed by the PAS-led state government decision to implement and enforce gender segregation rules.

They are questioning the decision to enforce the regulations when their business licenses issued from local authorities allows for salon services for both men and women (unisex). 

Non-Muslim operators admitted that they were aware of the rule which had been in place for years but had always thought it only applied to Muslim operators.

The rule prohibits male customers from receiving services in unisex hair salons from female employees, and vice versa.

A salon owner in Kuala Terengganu who got his license four years ago from the local council was confused because he met the requirements of providing separate rooms for female customers.

“I remember that the rule is only for salons owned by Muslims but non-Muslims are not subject to the law.”

“We already got approval under the license and suddenly we hear about this regulation. So we are very confused,” he said on condition of anonymity. 

He said if the state government enforces the ban on gender segregation in unisex hair salons, his business would be severely affected because four out of five of his customers were Malay men.

 “Many customers ask about it and I don’t have an answer because we lack information and only get our information from news reports,” he said.

He said this regulation was very unfair to non-Muslim business owners.

“If it affects Muslims, I understand, but why is it necessary for non-Muslims to also be affected?

“It will impact business and make the economic situation worse because currently business is very slow, and this kind of regulation does not help operators,” he said.

Kuala Terengganu mayor Rosli Latiff said the rules are clear, as per the requirements of the city council, unisex salon operators must provide male and female barbers or hairdressers for Muslim customers.

“Our conditions are very clear, and all non-Muslim majority unisex salon operators in this city need to meet these conditions,” he said. 

State exco for local government Alias Razak meanwhile has been reported as saying they do have gender segregation rules in unisex salons and it applies to Muslim and non-Muslim customers and operators.

According to Alias, salon operators must comply with the license conditions or they can be fined between RM500 and RM1,000 and have their license revoked for violating the rules. 

“Hair salons or barber shops, whether run by Muslims or non-Muslims, are not allowed to provide haircut services for men and women at the same time.”

“There is no exception for hair salons or barber shops run by non-Muslims. If we allow non-Muslim female barbers to cut hair for male customers, Muslim men can’t visit the shop,” he said during a recent state assembly meeting. 

The operation of unisex salons is enshrined under the jurisdiction of the local government in accordance with the Bylaws (Barbershops and Hairdressers) enacted under the Local Government Act 1976.

In Kuala Terengganu, for example, the law has been enforced by the local authority since 1981.

It imposed license conditions on barber shop premises, including the separation of shops for men and women.

The Malaysian Insight found that in Kemaman, the license conditions do not prohibit male or female customers from being in the same premises, but there are special conditions for closed spaces for female customers.

Alias said that local authorities in Terengganu have always carried out enforcement from time to time to check the operation of unisex salons.

Asked if the fine would also be imposed on customers, he replied that for now it only applied to operators.

Customers staying away

Another salon operator who also did not want to be named said many customers were afraid to come to his shop since the news of the ban was published last week.

“Right after the news came out, my salon lost customers. More than half of my customers are Malay men. And now you can see for yourself that my salon is empty.

“They were afraid to come to the salon for fear of being fined.”

“We really hope that there is a solution that does not affect all parties,” he said.

He said that unisex salons attract male customers because men’s barbershops do not provide hair colouring, straightening and hair care services.

The operator who has been in business for the past 34 years has never had a problem with his business license not being approved.

“That’s why we’re confused, I don’t know how the rules have changed. But I’ve been operating a salon for a long time and never had a problem. The license was approved and of course we do provide a special room for Muslim women,” he said.

Terengganu MCA adviser Toh Chin Yaw criticised the rule which he described as not respecting the rights of other races.

“This forced method is not right, because we live in a society of various races and religions,” he said.

He hopes the state government can find a middle ground that benefits all parties.

“There shouldn’t be a ban. If we think things are right, and want to do good things, then it will be good but if we think things are not good, then they will not be good.”

“The important thing is to find a middle ground. The state government says it must be done.  Early on they should have given advice and explanations, but no forcing. That is not right,” he said. –  December 8, 2022.