The tourism and culture minister said the industry could not introduce policies, like the tudung ban, that contravened the Federal Constitution.

“We can’t accept such policies.

“So any hotel that issues such an order must rescind it. If not we will take action against them,” he said after officiating a basketball event at the Mines International Convention and Exhibition Centre here.

Nazri was asked to comment on the directive by the urban well-being, housing and local government ministry for local authorities to withdraw the licences of hotels which prohibit Muslims from wearing the hijab at work.

Its minister, Noh Omar, said the policy was contrary to the Federal Constitution and human rights.

“If it is true there are such complaints, I suggest the local authorities withdraw the licence of the hotels because it is the right of Muslim women to wear the hijab, even if it involves international hotels.

“The international hotels should be more rational because freedom of religion and attire are advocated at the international level. Don’t tell me one cannot be allowed to work just because one wears the hijab,” Noh reportedly said.

Recently, Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) chairman Samuel Cheah Swee Hee said it was the standard operating procedure of international hotel chains to prohibit staff manning frontline desks from wearing the hijab.

Nazri went on to urge employees who were discriminated on religious grounds to inform his ministry.

“This is not just about Muslims. Sikhs wear turbans. That is why not many Sikhs work in hotels.”