The sultan had reprimanded the owner for barring non-Muslims from using his washing machines, ordering him to open his laundrette to all and apologise for his divisive policy, or face closure.
The owner defended his decision to restrict the laundrette to Muslims, saying it was to fulfil his obligations as a Muslim and not because he was a racist.
Social media users were divided in their reactions to the incident.
Among those who supported the sultan’s action was Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who commented on Facebook, saying: “We need to be moderate and progressive.”
Asri had earlier criticised the laundrette owner, calling his action narrow-minded and without any relation to Islam.
Another Facebook user, Yati Ah Pin, expressed hope that the public would respect the statement of the sultan.
“Enough lah..respect the statement of the sultan who cares for his people..if we want to observe environmental strictures, there are many issues out there, for example, if we stay in a hotel, everything in it is shared by all kinds of people, so where is the cleanliness? Think la,” the writer said.
Facebook user Rahim Razali commented: “hopefully after this if any company hires only its own race, Tuanku should show your authority to shut down the company without compromise..”
Sultan Ibrahim’s action also received praise on Twitter, with @myanwarismail saying: “Support Tuanku’s statement on the laundrette issue. We want Johor to be progressive and moderate, not extremist.”
Another with the hashtag @ATMology wrote: “Alhamdulillah. With the intervention of Sultan Johor, the laundrette owner will open his business to non-Muslims as well. Increase his earning.”
However, those who supported the laundrette owner’s Muslim-only policy also came out in force on social media to voice their disagreement with the ruler’s directive.
Facebook user Sally Mahdi wrote: “Just introduced an Islamic laundrette concept and already got criticised and accused of this and that. The foundation of religion has been belittled..the purity of Islam is not defended.
“This is not racist, extremist or Taliban. The owner has his own concept and it should be left to him. Allah determines the earnings. I support his concept. A Muslim who understands Islamic laws knows how to protect purity. Clean does not mean pure!”
Another Facebook user, Mohd Razi, hoped the laundrette owner would remain resolute.
“Pray more to Allah to ease your way. My prayer is that you will be amply rewarded when you go before Allah SWT.”
Shaiful Aznizam meanwhile said the laundrette owner had the right to seek an income in his own way.
“Alhamdulillah, he emphasised the cleanliness and purity in Islam. No need to apologise because this has happened in job advertisements which seek Chinese-speaking recruits although the jobs are open to all Malaysians.
“Although our national language is Bahasa Malaysia, why is this not questioned?”