Much furore has been raised on the dress code ruling allegedly announced in Terengganu recently.

The ruling only applies to workers in to the state-owned public sector. If you must know, no women are allowed to wear short skirts or go sleeveless in the Malaysian civil service too. On the other hand, MAS, the Royal Malaysian Police Force, etc, do not allow Muslim women to cover up.

Tell me, how many are caught for wearing swimsuits in Terengganu? I travel to Terengganu frequently and on every flight there are dozens of tourists (who incidentally continue to flock to Terengganu even under PAS rule) who are dressed minimally. I don't think they are being nabbed in the beaches for indecent exposure.

What is true though is that there are no gambling, vice activities and unlicensed liquor outlets in Terengganu.

Last year, I was at the same hotel where a Chinese New Year party was held in Kuala Terengganu. As the event was a private function, liquor was allowed and there were many crates of beer that night, not to mentioned pretty amoy with revealing cheongsams.

The bottom line is, as long as the public sphere is not affected by vice activities (and this does not include liquor, decent karaoke, eating pork, holding hands, wearing shorts, etc) any cultural and religous practices of non-Muslims is respected.

What cannot be tolerated however are vices such as gambling, prostitution, etc, which are abhorred by all faiths. Neither can the state allow an atmosphere where Muslims can participate in such haram activities.