KUALA LUMPUR – The Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) should retract the compound issued to a non-Muslim woman for wearing shorts on her own business premises, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said.
New Straits Times reported him as saying that he has asked the council not to “misuse” its authority and to abide by the federal constitution as Malaysia is a multiracial country.
“This is a non-Muslim shopkeeper on her own premises so it is her right to wear how she wants,” NST reported Nga as saying after an event in Cyberjaya today.
He said besides asking MPKB to retract the fine imposed on the woman, he also told Kelantan’s PAS-led state government to do so.
“This issue has caused a stir among the non-Muslim community,” Nga added.
On Twitter, Nga also expressed his disagreement with the compound, tweeting a Sin Chew Daily article of an interview in which he said MPKB had abused its power.
Yesterday, MPKB president Rosnazli Amin confirmed to NST that the council had issued the compound to the woman on June 25 during a check on business premises, as she was found to be wearing shorts.
She was issued the fine as this was deemed to be an offence under local council by-laws on indecent clothing in public places.
The matter came to light when photos of the compound were circulated on social media, sparking criticism from some social media users, as PAS-led Kelantan has always maintained that its shariah-inspired by-laws would not affect non-Muslims. – The Vibes, June 27, 2023
