\n<\/p>\n
Zahir also questioned why the reminder surfaced only during Ramadan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFood reviewers don\u2019t just review bazaars, we review restaurants too. So where was the sign for them?\u201d he asked, suggesting the timing made the gesture feel \u201cperformative\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ali said he respects differing views.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a free world, free speech. People have the right to say what they want to say,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n On why he chose Ramadan as the starting point for his message, Ali said the fasting month sees a surge in bazaar activity \u2014 and friction.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cRamadan is a time where a lot more people display their [culinary] skill sets in bazaars. It\u2019s only recently during Ramadan that you see all these things [like negative online reviews coupled with aggrieved stall vendors] happening,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to start somewhere. If I start during Hari Raya, people will ask why Hari Raya? If I start during Christmas, people will ask why Christmas? I chose to start during Ramadan where [food reviews are] at its peak.\u201d<\/p>\n As for bringing religion into the message, Ali said: \u201cIf humanity fails, I feel religion has to come in.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeing an influencer is not the number one priority in life, it\u2019s to be nice to people, to be kind, to spread goodness. That\u2019s what I feel, and I always live by that motto.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He added that he was not trying to police anyone\u2019s views.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n