11/10/2023 (Malaysia) - A former deputy unity minister had expressed concerns about Terengganu's recent move to ensure that Muslim tourists adhered to its shariah-compliant dress code, hoping that it would not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of non-Muslims. Ti Lian Ker had stated that there was no need for a repetition of the incident in Kelantan, where a non-Muslim business owner was fined for wearing what was deemed "indecent clothing." "I had hoped that they wouldn't become overly enthusiastic when enforcing the policy," he remarked. "It would not have been favorable for the state's image or our tourism industry. For instance, wearing shorts is a common practice for many local and international tourists, especially given our climate.
On a Sunday, the PAS-led Terengganu administration had announced its intention to reinforce the enforcement of its shariah-compliant dress code for Muslim tourists. Razali Idris, the chairman of the tourism, culture, environment, and climate change committee, had mentioned that the state government would collaborate with tourism companies to ensure that visitors complied with the rules, particularly at popular tourist destinations such as Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian.
These statements followed a proposal by Lalang assemblyman Zuraida Md Noor to enhance the awareness and adherence of Muslim tourists to shariah dress codes. This proposal came about after Zuraida expressed her frustration regarding the increasing audacity of some Muslim tourists who were disregarding the state's tourism guidelines.
Ti, a former MCA vice-president, had pointed out that although the shariah guidelines were intended for Muslims, there had been instances in the past where non-Muslims had faced penalties for their attire. He cited a recent incident in Kelantan where a woman had received a fine from 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 global laughingstock due to the actions of overzealous officers," he cautioned. "Moreover, at places like Perhentian Beach, there will be non-Muslims and foreign tourists who may wear attire that some consider 'inappropriate.' I sincerely hope that enforcement officers do not assume the role of 'moral police' when dealing with non-Muslims and foreign nationals."
He reminded religious enforcement officers that any actions taken against non-Muslims would be in violation of the fundamental liberties guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and could result in legal challenges.