MCA Wanita chief Chew Mei Fun has been accused of double standard for criticising PAS’ policies on women’s clothing while turning a blind eye on similar policies by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

women leader forum scah 240408 chew mei fun “We’d like to remind Chew that regulations on women’s clothing have flourished under the BN government, of which the MCA is a coalition member,” said All Women’s Action Society (Awam) president Sofia Lim.

“There currently exist dress codes in all public universities, and libraries, similarly for women presenters and entertainers on television, and women in public service.”

Chew had on Wednesday ticked off the Kota Bahru Municipal Council for reportedly claiming that women's sportswear is 'morally unacceptable".

This followed reports of a ban on skimpy outfits in public parks in PAS-ruled Kelantan.

A park signboard asks non-Muslim women to wear tops that have sleeves and which are long enough to cover the waist. Trousers have to be knee-length and there should be no skin-tight outfits, it says.

‘Sexism has no party boundaries’

According to Awam, “sexism has no party boundaries”.

dress code signboard in kota bharu 110609 “Assertions that women’s clothing leads to sexual immorality, is 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,” said Lim.

“To single out PAS for sanction alone, is a double standard.”

Lim urged all political parties to state clearly their stand on this issue.

“We hope that Chew will be as strident in her critique of others who are not as convenient targets such as PAS at this time.”