SENIOR Johor DAP leader Dr Boo Cheng Hau should not be obsessed over what attire is worn by female party leaders when visiting mosques or religious places of worship, Lim Guan Eng said today. 

The DAP secretary-general said Boo, who is a Johor DAP committee member, should just focus on people-centric issues like the current soaring prices of basic necessities. 

“For a male DAP leader to make a fuss over the proper clothing worn by party lawmaker Hannah Yeoh when visiting a mosque is no different from extremist and primitive PAS leaders who want to control what women can or cannot wear.

“This would not only be gender insensitive but also shows we are just as intolerant and regressive as the extremist PAS leaders,” Lim said in a statement. 

The Bagan MP issued the reprimand after Boo criticised Yeoh for wearing a headscarf when visiting a mosque. 

Lim said the Segambut MP had not done anything wrong by wearing the headscarf, and should be praised instead of criticised. 

“Would wearing a turban or head covering when visiting a Sikh temple receive similar criticism? Unfortunately, such unjustifiable criticism by one state leader has cast a bad light on the entire party. 

“Showing respect to another religion in a religious place of worship cannot be taken as abandoning our own faith. 

“Neither should it be seen as an act of appeasement. In fact, there should be more support for mutual respect and tolerance for differences in our multiracial society to encourage unity in diversity,” said Lim. 

He said Boo, who is former Johor DAP chief, should be focused on pressuring the government to inject RM3 billion in a National Price Stabilisation Fund to curb the soaring prices of essential items. 

Boo had hit out at Yeoh in a party WhatsApp group, Malaysiakini reported. 

“Maybe all of our women reps should wear the hijab not only in mosques but all over in public markets, churches, schools, and so on. 

“Best still, all should convert to Islam. Then we will be ensured to win Putrajaya in the next general election. What say you, smart dudes?” Boo was quoted as saying. 

Yeoh meanwhile had said on her Twitter that she was unapologetic over her decision to wear a headscarf in a mosque. 

“Wearing a selendang (headscarf) when I visit a mosque doesn’t change my race or my faith. 

“Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Amen,” she said. – December 4, 2021.