IPOH – The issue involving the compound imposed on a female non-Muslim trader for allegedly dressing “immodestly” in Kelantan has been resolved and should not be further played up by any party, said Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said this was because the compound was cancelled following a discussion between the director-general of the Local Government Department and the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB).
“This issue has been resolved and I hope such an incident will not happen again. We need to respect Islam, and non-Muslims also need to be defended, this is all within the framework of the federal constitution,” he said during a press conference after holding a working visit to the Fair Park area here, today.
Nga added that there was also no issue of the federal government intervening in local government affairs as claimed by some parties.
“I would just like to remind all local authorities that when we enforce the law, don’t get too carried away, and we should understand the essence and spirit of the federal constitution,” he said.
On June 26, a non-Muslim woman was issued a compound for dressing “immodestly” in public, as she was found to be wearing shorts.
The action was taken against the 35-year-old woman during a surprise inspection at her shop on Jalan Merbau, Kota Baru, Kelantan in accordance with Section 34(2)(b) of the MPKB Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing Bylaw 2019.
In a separate report, the adoptive father of the woman said that the imposed compound had been settled and hoped that the issue would not be blown out of proportion or politicised. – Bernama, July 1, 2023
