The Dress Code Issue Resurfaces

I didn't want to steamroll my way into criticising the PAS government in Kelantan for its religiously misogynistic ways, so I held out for a while.

Firstly, the eagerness of our tabloids (masked as mainstream media) to spread slime on any party that belongs to Pakatan Rakyat is evident.

I am with Helen Ang when she says that the MSM relishes painting the Kelantan authorities in the most narrow-minded light whenever the opportunity arises.

I am in no hurry to rise to the bait of the rabidly pro-BN media.

Secondly, if the truth be told, I actually have a soft spot for the PAS administration, which is relatively free of corruption (from my observation, though I may be wrong) and to a certain extent, sincere (though grossly misguided).

'Sincere' is generally not a term I use to describe governments.

But I have to admit, when it comes to the issue of women, the PAS government has some serious issues.

This is not the first time PAS has tried to impose its interpretation of Islam on women. Sometime back, the random woman on the street ran the risk of being slapped with a RM500 compound fine if she was not "dressed decently".

And the requirements are getting stricter.

I have inadvertently documented some of the occasions as they crop up. It appears that the lipstick issue is not new.

But I don't recall hearing of this law that stipulates that women should not wear high-heeled shoes that make a sound when they walk.

PAS must take noise pollution very seriously. Otherwise, why would anyone go through the trouble of making sure footsteps cannot be heard? At least, that is what I presume, since PAS makes an allowance for high-heeled shoes with rubber soles.

When I was a kid, there was a saying I was constantly being reminded that, "Children should be seen and not heard."

PAS has gratuitously, though unintentionally, invented a phrase applicable to the fairer sex: "Women should not be seen or heard at all."

Someone is under the impression that the presence of a woman is enough to evoke a man to have his wicked way with her.

That's what it seems like anyway, because every other man and his dog are falling over themselves to dispense advice to women on how to thwart rape and incest.

Believe it or not, one rocket scientist actually suggested the use of chastity belts to safeguard women from sex maniacs.

It's not just the average jane on the street that PAS insists on controlling. Performers and celebrities are not spared. Recently, the presence of Ella and Mas Idayu at a sports event was protested by PAS youth.

Apparently, these two female singers are capable of ruining impressionable young minds by their un-Islamic dressing. Meaning: They forgot their grey burqas.

So it makes one conclude; those living under the PAS government's rules and regulations must live highly pious and godly lives, right?

Ha! Ya think?

Do you have any idea what the top internet keyword search in PAS-dominated Kelantan is? Gambar bogel.

That's right folks, our holy-joes are furiously tapping out searches for new porn sites and pictures in the privacy of their homes (or internet cafe cubicles).

Which goes to show that while one may make numerous attempts to treat the syndrome (in this case, the women) the actual cure can only be effected when you get to the root of the problem.

The problem being, sex-obsessed men.