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Pas’ restriction on non-Muslim women from wearing certain clothes during working hours is retrogressive and infringes their fundamental freedom   Press Statement by John Chung (Petaling Jaya, Monday): Today’s New Straits Times reported the Kuala Terengganu Municipal Council (KTMC) President Dr. Sulaiman Abdullah as saying that non-Muslim women in the private sector cannot wear certain clothes during working hours.  Dr. Sulaiman, who is also State Assemblyman for Ladang was quoted as saying, “The Pas Government will not tolerate females, including those from different religions, wearing such clothes during working hours.”   Short-sleeved blouses, long skirts with slits and mini-skirts are part of the normal working attire of women. The move by the KTMC to impose such unreasonable restriction on the way non-Muslim working women dress is clearly retrogressive and constitutes and infringement of their freedom.   The remark by Dr. Sulaiman that females who wear such clothes during working hours will not be tolerated by the Pas Government is clearly arrogant and shows a lack of respect for the basic freedom of non-Muslims. The KTMC should not act as a moral custodian of the people in trying to determine what is acceptable and unacceptable.   Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang should also clarify whether this is a policy of the entire state government or merely the decision of the KTMC.      (5/1/2004) * John Chung, DAP National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary