Wanita MCA: Dress code by PAS infringes human rights

Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun over the decision by Kota Bharu Municipal Council to enforce standards on women’s sportswear in the park

Responding to a news article published inSin Chew Jit Poh today on the Kota Bharu Municipal Council’s decision to enforce sportswear standards, Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun today opposed the said decision. It was reported that the Kota Bharu Municipal Council had put up a sign in a park informing PAS members, as well as non-members, that women’s sportswear standards have become morally unacceptable.

Mei Fun insists that “no one has the right to infringe on the way people dress, whether it be for sports or at work, or even resting at home, as long as it is not too revealing. This is an internationally recognized right, and not even the government should have the authority to interfere.”

Mei Fun remarked that the sexist policies undertaken by PAS not only curtail the rights and liberties of women, but they also impact their daily lives.

“PAS insists on the issue of women’s clothing, but the real question is, who are they to set the standards? Why must they label the dressing of others as, ‘too sexy’ or ‘inappropriate?’ The rhetoric of PAS seems to be that they are morally superior, while everyone else is deemed morally bankrupt,” she pointed out.

Mei Fun also criticized the PAS leadership for their excessive male chauvinism, and setting limits on women’s freedom, including a ban on lipstick and high heels. “This make it seem that women are almost the slaves of men, and in turn, restricts their basic human rights.”

“We severely condemn the PAS leadership in taking steps to promote an Islamist state, including introducing Islamist policies, and propagating extremist values. In enforcing these principles, they are in fact deceiving the general populace,” she reiterated.