The two PAS State Governments should give serious consideration to the views given by Barisan Alternative leaders like Parti Keadilan Nasional president, Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP National Vice Chairman, Ahmad Nor and Public Rakyat Malaysia President, Dr. Syed Husin Ali that tudung should be worn because of personal choice and not because of a state policy or ruling.
The statement by a Kelantan State Government exco that non-Muslim employers in the state would be held responsible if their Muslim female workers do not wear tudung while at work, and that the authorities might not renew their licences, is insensitive to the rights and interests of non-Muslim Malaysians who do not want to be involved in issues strictly affecting Muslims.
The issue of tudung should be resolved speedily without any delay as it is being exploited by the MCA in the Sanggang by-election, which will be detrimental to the electoral chances of the PAS candidate, Datuk Hishamuddin Yahya in the run-up to the polling in a matter of a week.
It would be most unfortunate if Datuk Hishammuddin cannot win the Sanggang by-election in spite of the crude, vulgar and indecent conduct and gestures by the Pahang Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob on nomination day because of the tudung issue for Muslim women in Kelantan and Terengganu.
(23/3/2000)