PETALING JAYA, May 18 — Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has suggested that women should dress shabbily to avoid public harassment.
The minister fondly known as “Ku Nan” was responding to a Puteri Umno member who expressed concern over public safety during a Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) dialogue session in Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur last night.
“It’s because you’re so beautiful. The next time you go out, wear more comot (shabby) clothes,” he was quoted as saying by news portal Malaysiakini.
His remarks reportedly drew cheers and applause from the audience. That woman also responded by laughing at Tengku Adnan’s remarks.
Earlier, the Puteri Umno member was concerned for the safety of her two daughters, and expressed hope that the government would improve public safety.
“Recently, there have been many robberies and kidnapping, I feel scared when I walk around my area.
“Even in shopping malls, people disturb me, even security guards disturb me.”
It was reported that some of the audiences did not believe her experience on public safety, while others were heard making wolf-whistles and complimenting her looks.
When tabling the Budget last October 21, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that a series of national discourses would be carried out to chart the nation’s direction for the next 30 years under the TN50 plan.
