Malaysia’s Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, one of the two main port operators at Port Klang, has suspended its policy instituting Friday prayer breaks pending review after concerns were raised over its impact on business activity at one of the world’s busiest ports.
In a brief advisory dated November 17, Northport said that after discussions with stakeholders, it has decided to re-examine the initiative that was announced in a circular released seven days earlier and implemented for the first time on November 14.
“After the first Friday prayer break trial, upon consultation with Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang (LPK), and feedback from customers and other stakeholders, the Management of Northport (Malaysia) Bhd has decided to review the Friday prayer break initiative. We will continue operations as normal without any disruptions.”
The notice was signed by company CEO Rubani Dikon, who further assured that “Northport is committed to ensure our customers’ needs are met and not compromised.”
Media reports said port users and the LPK, also called the Port Klang Authority (PKA), the government agency that regulates and owns Port Klang, were taken by surprise by the prayer break directive issued November 10 and expressed worries that it would delay the flow of shipments at the multipurpose facility.
The directive called for a temporary cessation of work for 70 minutes from 12:40 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. to enable Muslim workers to conduct their Friday prayer obligations so as to help “strike a better work-life balance.”
Northport has 2,400 Muslim staff, representing 90% of its workforce.
Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid, group managing director of Northport’s parent company NCB Holdings Bhd, said the decision to review the work break policy came after stakeholders reacted with dismay following the initial trial.
The trial period was supposed to last for two months, from November to December, and the practice was to be officially implemented on January 2, 2015.
The Edge Financial Daily reported that PKA general manager Captain David Padman said the authority was not informed of the Friday prayer break.
“I have directed Northport’s management to withdraw their notice with immediate effect as this is not in line with our Privatisation Agreement and Port By-Laws to keep the port open 24/7,” he told the business paper.
The policy could also impact Northport’s output which logged a throughput of 2.89 million twenty-foot-equivalent units last year.
Some port customers said one solution to allow Muslim staff to perform their religious commitments is to use non-Muslim employees during the break to ensure that operations continue 24/7, saying that any stoppage translates to business delays and financial losses.
