MELAKA: Hoteliers here want locals to relish the spirit of Ramadan and have started offering complimentary meals and special discounts to those fostering unity.

       The offers are for patrons who bring along friends from varying multi-ethnic backgrounds for Iftar (breaking of fast).

       Feeter Francis, who manages a restaurant at Casa Bonita Hotel at Jalan Limbongan here, said the move was to build resilience in the local hospitality industry.

       “Ramadan is the best month for hoteliers to develop mutual respect and remind the people of our shared cultural values.

       “Anyone who comes to the dining table with multi-racial friends will get a complimentary meal while for corporate companies or non-governmental organisations, they will be given a special discount,” he said.

       Francis said he decided on this when he saw Melaka National Cancer Society holding a breaking of fast at his restaurant recently.

       “I was touched by different ethnic groups dining together happily and decided not to charge them,” he said.

       Francis said Melaka was a melting pot of cultures and hoteliers like him could play a role to enhance unity among the people.

       Bayou Lagoon Park Resort CEO Datuk Marco Seow said he always encouraged his workers to invite their neighbours from various races to savour the Ramadan buffet.

       He said special discounts were also given to any group organising multi-ethnic Iftar events at the hotel.

       “My intention has always been to bolster deeper ties among ethnic groups.

       “Our employees are also made up of various races,” he said. Seow urged other hoteliers to help strengthen harmony and unity through events and preserve the country’s diversity.