20 April 2018

Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie

*Social ills or a woman’s character cannot be defined by attire*

Wanita MCA condemns in no uncertain terms the recent crackdown under Ops Sopan by the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) and the Kelantan Islamic Affairs Department (JAHEAIK) in Kelantan where more than 20 notices and summons were reported issued against women deemed to have worn “tight”, “sexy”, “indecent” attire (The Star, 19 Apr 2018). We stand with Sisters in Islam in slamming such actions which “reflect medieval and backward attitudes.”

Such a move is clearly misogynistic, and also displays a fetish by the enforcement officers to eagle-eye women’s physique. Wanita MCA is concerned that this crackdown will provide a superficial excuse for the authorities to gawk at females, and thus women maybe subjected to physical harassment.

While Ops Sopan had targeted women at hypermarkets, hotels and resort areas, where next will the authorities target? Swimming pools? Sports stadiums and training grounds? Will girls in ballet and gymnastic leotards or swimming and diving costumes be targeted too, although these costumes are regulated by the activities’ and sports regulatory bodies?

Will Kelantan state authorities follow in the footsteps of moral police vigilantes who go by the name of Tadzkiiratul Ummah in Northern Aceh who drew international infamy when in their zealousness to enforce a rigid dress codes, had spray painted women they deemed had worn tight jeans, thus publicly shaming them. In civilised society with the rule of law, such drastic actions is an offence being classified as assault.

As Malaysians head to the polls on 9 May 2018, it is high time that voters showed PAS the door in Kelantan as they have not brought about any progress to the East Coast state since gaining power in 1990. All Kelantan has experienced is regression into poverty and youth joblessness with all the restrictions imposed. Likewise, all voting Malaysians should use their ballot slips to deny any PAS candidate from being voted into the Dewan Rakyat to deter PAS from ever tabling their proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill.  

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA Chairman

-MCA Online-