PETALING JAYA, 12 June 2009: Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun should be consistent in her critique of dress codes imposed on women, said women’s organisation All Women’s Action Society (Awam).
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Chew (Source: wanita.mca.org.my) Its president, Sofia Lim Siu Ching, said Awam welcomed Chew’s criticism of the Kota Baru Municipal Council (KBMC) for imposing strict dress rules on women.
“However, we’d like to remind Chew that regulations on women’s clothing have flourished under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, of which the MCA is a coalition member,” said Lim in statement today.
She cited the example where currently dress codes exist in all public universities and libraries, as well as for women presenters and entertainers on television, and women in public service.
Lim added that assertions that women’s clothing leads to sexual immorality were not exclusive to PAS.
“BN coalition party members, from Wanita Umno, MIC, to even MCA, and other members of the Pakatan Rakyat have been noted on record making similar remarks. To single out PAS for sanction alone is a double standard,” Lim said.
She said Awam hoped Chew would be as strident in her critique of others who may not be as convenient targets as PAS.
Awam also called upon all political parties to state their stand on the issue.
Sin Chew Daily reported on 10 June that the KBMC had set up a notice board in one of the entrances of a park in Kota Baru to inform park users of the park’s dress code for Muslims and non-Muslims.
Chew responded by criticising the municipal council for infringing on the public’s right to dress as they choose.
Yesterday, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Member of Parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baru Zulkifli Noordin took Chew to task for her opposition toward KBMC’s regulation on sportswear in the park. 
Disclosure: Gan Pei Ling is a member of Awam.
