The Kedah state government has issued an order to this effect and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom issued a reminder in support of it today.
Zaid said that the leaders appear to "lack confidence" in Muslims.
"If Muslims fast because no shops were open, then the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has failed," Zaid tweeted.
He also asked if Jakim will refund part of "rental and license fees" for the eateries if they can only be open after 3pm.
"The leaders say they need to stifle them (Muslims) some more, indoctrinate them, and tell them when to eat, when to open shops and what to wear," he tweeted further.
'Action will be taken'
Jamil Khir was reported as saying in New Straits Times that action will be taken against Muslim eateries that open their businesses before 3pm, and had asked Islamic departments nationwide to monitor this matter.
"Food operators are allowed to prepare their dishes by noon but they are strictly prohibited from selling the food to Muslim customers before 3pm," he was reported as saying during an event in Jerai today.
Meanwhile Gerakan youth chief Tan Keng Liang pointed out that there seems to be a perception that non-Muslims do not eat Malay food.
"Some people seem to think that shops selling Malay food cater solely for Muslim customers, especially during Ramadan," Tan tweeted.
Jamil Khir's advice to Muslim eateries nationwide comes in the wake of the Kedah state government warning that any eatery that is open before 3pm in the state, could have its license revoked.
All eateries must comply with the state's rule, with the exception of fast food restaurants, according to a Bernama report.
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Don: Don't make Islam butt of jokes
Prominent political analyst Maszlee Malik said it is not feasible for food outlets to be barred from opening before 3pm during the Ramadan fasting month.
The Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA) lecturer said all quarters should not issue nonsensical statements related to Islam.
"Islam has been the brunt of jokes. So stop making the religion into something that can be joked about," he said.
Maszlee, who specialises in modern Islamic political issues, said there were those who simply cannot find time to buy food later in the evening.
He pointed out that the sick, children who are not fasting as well as those who are travelling would also face problems.
"It is a personal choice. As such, it is not proper to have such a directive," he said.
Kedah exco member Badrol Hisham Hashim yesterday said that Muslim-owned food outlets in the state which operate before 3pm will have their business licenses revoked.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said that all religious departments in the country would ensure that the directive is followed.
He added that religious departments and agencies would not hesitate to take stern action against those who go against the directive.
Maszlee questioned why fast food franchises, which operated for 24 hours, are not subjected to the same directive.
"These kind of policies always burden the smaller businesses and not the bigger ones," he added.
As reported in Msiakini
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