DATUK Zuraida Kamaruddin has slammed Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for interfering in local council affairs regarding the ‘indecent’ dressing incident in Kota Bahru, Kelantan recently.
According to the former Ampang MP, both ministers were hasty in issuing statements against the Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB) for issuing a compound against a non-Muslim Kelantanese woman for allegedly dressing “indecently” at her boutique at Jalan Merbau on June 25.
Additionally, the woman was found to have committed an offence under Section 34(2) (b) Business and Industrial Trade By-Laws 2019 which states that non-Muslim business owners and their non-Muslim employees must wear “decent clothes” or, if they are Muslim, cover their aurat (modesty).
“The woman was reported to have paid the compound and her representative had also asked that the issue not be politicised as non-Muslims in the state adhere to rules set by the local and state governments,” Zuraida said in a statement.
“The issue should be deemed solved and not prolonged further. However, a few days after the incident, the ministers had recklessly issued a statement to criticise the Kelantan government.”
Zuraida said as the Local Government Development Minister, Nga should have recognised that local councils in Malaysia have authority within their jurisdiction as specified by the Local Government Act 1976, and hence the compound issued by MPKB against the woman was not unlawful.
“In fact, the Local Government Development Minister’s move shows that he wishes to be a ‘hero’ to the Chinese community in Malaysia by interfering in the local council’s dealings without solid reason and this had impeded the administrative system and relations between the state and federal governments that is currently at a critical situation for some states,” the Muafakat Nasional (MN) deputy chairman said.
“The minister’s move seems to be intending to create prejudice among races in Kelantan, when the multiracial people of the east coast state had been living in harmony even though they were under the administration of conservative Muslim leaders.”
The former PKR vice president also slammed Tiong for his remarks that MPKB’s action will have great impact on local residents and tourists, affecting the state’s tourism sector.
“This is again another reckless and irresponsible statement made by a federal minister, because on what basis is it claimed that Kelantan will receive fewer tourists as a result of rules imposed by the state’s local authorities that have been in existence for a long time?
“A federal minister should provide precise facts before making any statement, which Tiong does not appear to do despite having full access to the country’s tourist data, both domestic and international,” Zuraida stressed, adding that it was inappropriate for them to issue seditious statements in order to be a champion for one race.
“The harmony enjoyed by Malaysians of many races must be protected and issues that can be solved through discussion and consensus need not be politicised.”
On Tuesday last week (June 27), Nga slammed MPKB as they had violated the woman’s constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms and asked the Kelantan state government to retract the compound in the process.
The Kepayang assemblyman noted that MPKB should not be too eager to impose fines, and that the local council should have discussed the problem with the woman, reprimanded and educated her while also respecting her non-Muslim status.
Two days later, on June 29, Tiong took a swipe at PAS urging the party leaders to learn from Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, which he described as having developed its tourism sector without denying the rights of those of other religions.
The Dudong assemblyman cited Articles 3(1) and 8 of the Federal Constitution, which state that non-Muslims are free to practise their respective religions and are protected from discrimination on the grounds of race or religion. – July 3, 2023
Main pic credit: The Edge Markets
