Don T Overzealously Enforce Tourist Dress Code Terengganu Govt Told

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The PAS-led Terengganu administration intends to strengthen the enforcement of its shariah-compliant dress code for Muslim tourists, particularly at hotspots like Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: A former deputy unity minister hopes Terengganu’s move to ensure Muslim tourists abide by its shariah-compliant dress code will not see it encroach into the rights and freedoms of non-Muslims.
Ti Lian Ker said there was no need for a repeat of the incident in Kelantan which saw a non-Muslim business owner fined for wearing “indecent clothing”.
“I hope they won’t be overzealous when enforcing the policy,” he told FMT.
“It won’t be good for the state’s image or our tourism industry. For example, wearing shorts is a norm for many local and international tourists, especially in our weather.
“Action against such tourists will give us a bad name internationally and may deter tourists from coming to Malaysia, which will affect our tourism earnings.”
On Sunday, the PAS-led Terengganu administration said it would strengthen enforcement of its shariah-compliant dress code for Muslim tourists.
Tourism, culture, environment and climate change committee chairman Razali Idris said the state government would work with tourism companies to ensure visitors follow the rules, especially at key tourist attractions like Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian.
His comments followed a push by Lalang assemblyman Zuraida Md Noor to make Muslim tourists more aware and compliant with shariah dress codes. This comes after Zuraida expressed frustration that some Muslim tourists were becoming “bolder” when flouting the state’s tourism guidelines.
Ti, a former MCA vice-president, said while the shariah guidelines apply to Muslims only, there were incidents in the past where non-Muslims were sanctioned for their attire.
He cited an incident in Kelantan earlier this year where a woman was issued a compound by the Kota Bharu municipal council for wearing shorts in public.
“If it happened once, it could happen again, and the last thing we need is to become a laughing stock of the world because of the actions of overzealous officers,” he said.
“And on beaches like Perhentian, there will be non-Muslims and foreign tourists who will be in attire which some may consider ‘inappropriate’. I hope enforcement officers won’t play ‘moral police’ when dealing with non-Muslims and foreign nationals.”
He reminded religious enforcement officers that any action taken against non-Muslims would go against the fundamental liberties guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and may lead to legal challenges. - FMT

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