Malaysian city orders Muslim women not to wear bright lipstick, clickety high heels

The Associated Press ,  Kuala Lumpur   |  Tue, 06/24/2008 10:18 AM  |  World

Authorities in a northern Malaysian city have forbidden Muslim women from wearing bright lipstick and noisy high-heeled shoes to work, saying the ban will enhance their dignity and prevent them from getting raped, a news report said.

The municipal council in Kota Baru, dominated by a conservative Islamic party, ordered women working in restaurants and other businesses to refrain from waring heavy makeup, including bright lipstick, and high-heeled shoes that make tapping sounds, the national news agency Bernama sad late Monday.

If they insist on wearing such shoes, the heels should be padded with rubber, it said.

The city said in a circular that the order aims to prevent rape and to protect the women's dignity and morals, Bernama said. The circular has already been distributed to some businesses, it said.

City council officials could not immediately confirm the report. One employee, who declined to be named because she is not authorized to speak to the media, said she had heard of the directive but was not aware that it was being enforced.

"I don't know what it is. I myself also wear lipstick," she said. Kota Baru is the capital of Kelantan state, which is ruled by the conservative opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.

The city already has a directive that women should wear non-transparent head scarves that cover the chest, long-sleeved, loose blouses - and socks. Those who break the rules can be fined up to 500 ringgit (US$150), Bernama said.

Malaysia, where about two-thirds of the population is Malay Muslim, prides itself on being a moderate country. Other ethnic groups - Chinese and Indians who follow other religions - do not face restrictions on their clothing and are free to practice their faiths.

However, debates about Muslims' dress codes and behavior erupt occasionally.

The hardline Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, which secured an unprecedented number of parliamentary seats and states together with two other opposition parties in March elections, has only recently backed away from openly advocating an Islamic state. (*)

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.