From DAP http://www.malaysia.net/dap Tudung issue: Don't spoil Sanggang by-election By Lim Kit Siang The
Kelantan and Terengganu PAS State Governments should
reconsider the tudung issue to respect womens
rights as well as the sensitivities of non-Muslim
Malaysians. The two PAS
State Governments should give serious consideration to
the views given by Barisan Alternative leaders like Parti
Keadilan Nasional president, Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah
Wan Ismail, DAP National Vice Chairman, Ahmad Nor and
Public Rakyat Malaysia President, Dr. Syed Husin Ali that
tudung should be worn because of personal choice and not
because of a state policy or ruling. The
statement by a Kelantan State Government exco that
non-Muslim employers in the state would be held
responsible if their Muslim female workers do not wear
tudung while at work, and that the authorities might not
renew their licences, is insensitive to the rights and
interests of non-Muslim Malaysians who do not want to be
involved in issues strictly affecting Muslims. The issue
of tudung should be resolved speedily without any delay
as it is being exploited by the MCA in the Sanggang
by-election, which will be detrimental to the electoral
chances of the PAS candidate, Datuk Hishamuddin Yahya in
the run-up to the polling in a matter of a week. It would be most unfortunate if Datuk Hishammuddin cannot win the Sanggang by-election in spite of the crude, vulgar and indecent conduct and gestures by the Pahang Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob on nomination day because of the tudung issue for Muslim women in Kelantan and Terengganu. |