PETALING JAYA: There is no need for a new guideline on pet-friendly malls in Selangor, says a state assemblyman, citing existing legal and syariah provisions.
Permatang assemblyman Nurul Syazwani Noh called a state exco member’s proposal for roundtable talks for the guidelines “unnecessary and inappropriate”.
“Any public policy that is to be introduced cannot be separated from the framework of the Federal Constitution, the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation, as well as the basic values of statehood as enshrined in the Rukun Negara,” she said in a statement as reported by Sinar Harian.
Nurul Syazwani was responding to state local government and tourism exco member Datuk Ng Suee Lim’s proposal for a roundtable to create a specific framework related to pet-friendly shopping malls in the state.
Nurul Syazwani added that Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution, which provides for Islam as the religion of the Federation, is not symbolic.
She explained that the provision requires all government policies and actions, at both the federal and state levels, to consider the interests of Islam, Islamic law and the sensitivities of Muslims.
“In this context, any effort to normalise the presence of pets in enclosed public spaces involving food premises cannot be seen as a lifestyle issue alone.
“On the contrary, it needs to be weighed from the perspective of cleanliness according to Islamic law, halal compliance and the implications for the confidence of Muslims as the majority group of Selangor citizens,” she said.
Nurul Syazwani also stressed that the principle of Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan (Decency and Morality) in the Rukun Negara requires that every public policy respect societal norms, customs, religion and public sensitivities, especially in shared spaces.
She added that in a plural society, the principle does not mean eliminating boundaries, but rather ensuring the freedom of one group does not affect the rights, comfort and beliefs of other groups, especially in issues involving food, cleanliness and religion.
Commenting on the legal aspect, Nurul Syazwani informed that the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), through an official response in a letter dated December 15, 2025, stressed the ban on bringing animals to food premises remains in force based on Regulation 8(1)(c), Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, in addition to the Food Handling By-Laws (MBSJ) 2007 and Food Establishment By-Laws (MBSJ) 2007.
In a related development, she said, the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim) also through an official response dated December 15, 2025 stressed the presence of pets in enclosed public spaces has serious implications for compliance with the Malaysian Halal Standards, including MS 1500:2019 and the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual, which has the potential to affect the status of the premises’ halal certificate.
She also pointed out that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) informed that the issue involves Islamic law, cleanliness and the sensitivity of Muslims, as well as being referred to the Selangor State Mufti Department to obtain legal opinions before any decision is made.
She said the legal position regarding the presence of pets in enclosed premises, especially those involving food and public spaces, is clear, final and effective.
“The Selangor State Government should focus on enforcing existing laws consistently and firmly, in line with the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara, in order to safeguard the public interest, the harmony of the plural society and the rule of law in this state,” she added.
