DAP has offered free legal support to the non-Muslim woman who was fined for dressing inappropriately by the Kota Baru Municipal council (MPKB). 

Its chairman Lim Guan Eng said the party will take up the clothing shop proprietor’s case if she decided to sue.  

Lim said his deputy Gobind Singh Deo and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer could represent her. 

“I’ve communicated with our senior lawyers, Gobind and Rayer, and they’re willing to take up this case on behalf of the woman so that we can stand up and protect our rights from being eroded and deprived… of course, without any charges. 

“If we do not stand up and fight together, they (Perikatan Nasional) will continue with their extreme acts that would jeopardise peace and harmony of the country,” he was quoted as saying during a press conference in Penang today. 

On Sunday, MPKB compounded a non-Muslim woman as she was “dressed inappropriately”. 

MPKB mayor Rosnazli Amin said the woman was compounded under section 34(2)(b) of its Commercial Trade and Industrial Local Government Regulations 2019. 

Section 34(2)(b) states that business licence owners must ensure that those working on their premises wear “decent” clothes or, if they are Muslim, cover their aurat (intimate parts). 

Rosnazli said the photo of the woman posing with the fine – uploaded on Facebook – was misleading as she wore different clothing when she was compounded. 

Earlier today, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the MPKB should retract the compound. 

Nga said the woman was within her rights to wear what she wanted.  

“I have asked MPKB to not misuse their authority and abide by the Federal Constitution as we are a country of various races and religions.  

“This is a non-Muslim shopkeeper in her own premises so it is her right to wear what she wants,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times today. 

Nga said as per the Federal Constitution, Malaysian citizens are free to wear whatever they choose. 

Nga said the sensitive matter has caused unrest among the non-Muslim community.  

“I urge all city councils to not be so enthusiastic in issuing summons and try to reach a compromise or at least educate them beforehand.  

“I have asked MPKB and also the state government, PAS, to retract the citation if possible as this issue has caused a stir among the non-Muslim community,” he said. – June 27, 2023.