Kelantan tourism will be affected if women are fined for indecent dressing, says Tiong

PETALING JAYA: Tourism in Kelantan would be affected if local authorities continue to fine women for indecent dressing", says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister urged PAS leaders, who govern the state, to learn from other Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia.

"I would like to urge everyone, including PAS leaders, to learn from Islamic countries that are also influential worldwide, such as Saudi Arabia, which is advanced and developing in its tourism sector while respecting the rights of people of other faiths," he said.

"If such an incident occurs again, it will cause concern and leave a massive impact on locals and tourists, thus affecting Kelantan's tourism sector," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (June 29).

He was referring to an incident on Sunday where a non-Muslim businesswoman was issued a compound notice for indecent dressing despite being inside her business premises.

The woman was reported to have received a compound notice from a Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) enforcement officer under By-Law 34(2)(b) of the council's Business and Industrial Trade By-Laws 2019.

The by-law states that non-Muslims are to be dressed decently.

The woman said she had been selling women's clothes at the shop for the past two years, adding that this was the first time she had been issued a compound notice.

Tiong also cited Articles 3(1) and 8 of the Federal Constitution, which states that non-Muslims are free to practise their respective religions and are protected from discrimination.

He said Malaysians who love their country should "respect one another, celebrate variety, and love one another, we must have mutual respect and celebrate our diversity while upholding the Federal Constitution."

In a statement on Monday (June 26), MPKB defended its action, saying that it was following the law.

"Business licence holders must ensure they and their workers are dressed, clean and tidy when carrying out any trade, business or industrial activities.

"Non-Muslims must also be dressed decently, and if their workers are Muslims, must wear clothing covering their 'aurat'," it said.