I REFER to the report “Terengganu holds off dress code” (NST, March 6). Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman was correct in asking the Terengganu Islamic and Malay Customs Council (Maidam) “to first explain the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactment 2001 to the people before it is enforced”.
Muslims in Terengganu do not question the enactment. Their main worry is the arbitrary enforcement of the law.
There have been many cases where religious enforcement officers abuse their power, which tarnishes the good name of Islam. Doing enforcement work involves finding fault in others.
What is to prevent an enforcement officer from apprehending a provocatively dressed woman and taking advantage of her?
To resolve ambiguity in the ruling on dressing for women in Terengganu, it would be better for Maidam to ban the sale of jeans to women.
They should be allowed to wear only baju kurung. Even wearing corporate suits can land a woman in trouble, as the enforcement officer can argue that her attire is provocative.
Perhaps a big signboard should be put up at the state border to remind Muslim women from other states or countries to abide by the dress code.
While Maidam may have good intentions in coming up with this ruling, there must be consistency in the enforcement to avoid ambiguity.
We don’t want a situation where the lower classes become the prime targets, while the privileged are untouched. Islam does not recognise social standing.
Maidam enforcement officers need to be trained to handle people; the manner in which to issue summonses; and the finer points of counselling.
If these have been done, then a refresher course is necessary. We must bear in mind that the good name of Islam is at stake.
We don’t want a situation where Islam or the state government become the scapegoats for the problems faced by the people because of overzealous, half-trained enforcers.
Hassan Talib, Gombak, Selangor