Malaysian state asks women to cover up
KUALA LUMPUR: The ruling fundamentalist Islamist party of Malaysia's
Terengganu state has ordered Muslim women there to veil their heads and
dress according to Islamic rules, an official said.
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), which was elected to power in
Terengganu in last November's general election, will soon introduce the
Islamic ``dress code'' on the proper attire for all working women in the
state.
Women civil servants and those in the business sector will be the first to
be ordered to cover up when going out in public, said Awang Jusoh, a state
official in charge of women and non-Islamic issues.
The ruling, he said, would only apply to women in Terengganu and would not
be applicable to tourists and visitors to the northeastern state, which is
famous for its beaches and diving spots.
``We will be meeting with operators and owners of business premises in every
district from Tuesday to get their cooperation regarding this requirement,''
Awang was quoted as saying in Terengganu by the Bernama.
He did not say when the ruling would be enforced. Terengganu is the second
of Malaysia's 14 states to order Muslim women to conform to the
Islamic-style dress code after Kelantan state, which is also ruled by the
PAS.
Awang said the PAS-led Terengganu government would also start holding weekly
lectures for civil servants to raise awareness on the importance of donning
unrevealing outfits. The PAS, which is Malaysia's biggest opposition party
at federal level, bans liquor, gambling and entertainment outlets such as
discos and fun fairs in the two states.
Kelantan, which the PAS has governed in a decade, also has sex-segregated
checkout lanes at supermarkets while cinemas keep the lights on during
screenings.
PAS leaders frequently slam Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's ruling
National Front government as not being Islamic enough, pointing out that
Mahathir's wife and top women officials, such as international trade and
industry minister Rafidah Aziz, do not wear Islamic-style head scarves.(DPA)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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