Letter to Editor
RECENTLY a controversy regarding the dress code for non-Muslims have caused an uproar among netizens when a woman in Johor Baru was denied entry into a government facility by a security guard who considered her outfit to be “inappropriate” despite her modest dressing.
As a rational thinker and also the current state assemblyman of Bukit Batu, I do have my thoughts and views with regard to this issue. I believe that taxpayers in Malaysia do have their freedom of expression especially when it comes to dressing code as we are living in a diverse community.
But denying government services due to ridiculous dress code guidelines is simply unfair to members of the public who are dealing with government departments and agencies.
In a more radical context, there are dress code rules in countries like Belgium and China that forbid the wearing of hijab which is a direct oppression against a specific religion requirement.
I strongly stand against those repressions as I believe different religions have different requirements to be followed. Being acknowledged as the taxpayer of a sovereignty state, everyone has his/her right to be assisted with government services without any form of discrimination.
Being a people’s representative, I am strongly against all types of discrimination. Hence, I believe that denying government services due to dressing code constitutes a form of discrimination.
We live in a multiracial country where we have multiple traditions and religions. Hence, there shouldn’t be any form of dressing requirements to be imposed on the public.
To solve the issue, I urge the Government to be clearer on the dress code guidelines for the public. Let’s not be the laughing stock of other countries. It reflects our image in the global view.
Arthur Chiong Sen Sern is the PKR state assemblyman of Bukit Batu in Johor.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
