Only Muslim women can be fined07 Dec 2006 Sulaiman Jaafar and June Ramli --------------------------------- KOTA BARU: Only Muslim women will be liable to fines under a new Kelantan state government by-law against "indecent dressing".
Non-Muslim women, however, are advised against wearing anything the state considers immodest. Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the state had no plans to impose its version of Islamic dressing on non-Muslim women. "However, non-Muslim wo- men should respect Muslim sensitivities and dress decently when they go out in public. "The dress code is an Islamic requirement to help protect the virtue of women. "It is not imposed by Pas," he said, adding that the fine amount was an administrative issue that could be negotiated. Nik Aziz, who was speaking after the State exco meeting yesterday, was asked to comment on the Kota Baru Municipal Councils decision to impose fines on women wearing sexy outfits. MPKB public relations officer Mohd Azman Daham was quoted as saying that under the by-law, women who dressed sexily or indecently could be fined up to RM500. State local government and housing committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan said the dress code had been in practice since Pas came to power in 1990. He said that under the Trade, Businesses and Industrial and Control 1989 and Supervision of Food Establishment 2003 by-laws, all Muslim businesses licensed under MPKB must ensure their female employees adhered to the Islamic dress code. Under the regulations, a womans aurat (parts of the body that should not be exposed) covers her whole body, except her face and hands, while for men, it is between the navel and thigh. In practice, Muslim women usually cover their hair while wearing baju kurung or modern dresses. Takiyuddin said the law also stipulated that non-Muslims should dress decently. "As far as I know, there have been no cases of anyone being fined the amount, and no action has been taken against non-Muslims," he said. In Kuala Lumpur, the Parliaments Gender Caucus, led by a Barisan Nasional backbencher, expressed anger over the decision to impose fines on "indecently dressed" women. Caucus chairman Dr Rozai- dah Talib, also the BN MP for Ampang, said that it was a persons right to dress as she pleased and no one had the right to dictate the persons way of dressing. "By imposing fines, it only shows the shallow-mindedness of the council," she said yesterday. DAP Wanita chief and Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, who is also the caucus deputy chairman, said there were many other issues that the Kelantan government could champion. "For instance, they should focus on the plight of single mothers rather than find fault with womens dressing." BNs Kota Melaka MP Wong Nai Chee said that it was not right to turn womens dressing into a political issue.//Thestar Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
