KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 ― It is simplistic and unfair to claim that women's attire encourages adultery, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today after several opposition MPs repeated the call for Islam-compliant clothing for Malaysian athletes.
The federal opposition leader and PKR president was critical of Lumut MP First Admiral (r) Mohd Imran Abdul Hamid to claim that revealing outfits worn by women in mass sporting events could encourage promiscuity, though she noted that he is entitled to his opinion.
“If you ask me as a Muslim, of course we have a rule on decent attire, but I don't think you should blame the choice of dress for this and that,” she said at a news conference at Parliament's tower block.
“Some victims are fully clothed, so it is unfair to say that,” she added, in an apparent reference to victims of sexual crimes.
Dr Wan Azizah, however, said that it was understandable for Mohd Imran to have made the claim as he retired from a high rank in the Malaysian navy and “has been at sea for a long time”.
On Monday, Mohd Imran cautioned that skimpy attire worn by female athletes could lead to adultery.
The PKR lawmaker said in the Dewan Rakyat that “sexy clothing” could cause “stimulation” leading to adultery, when interjecting on Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who was responding to points raised in the Budget 2016 debate.
PAS' Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff also queried if Putrajaya has a policy on athletes' clothing ― especially for female athletes ― stressing that Islam-compliant attire is necessary if the federal government is truly pursuing a system of governance that is based on Islamic principles.
Khairy noted, however, that there has not been any case or proof to support Mohd Imran's claim, and that it is up to athletes to decide for themselves what attire they want to wear provided it does not go against the rules and regulations of their respective sports.
