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Why is it that female members of the police force (and not the men) have to 'enhance' the image of the police force? This decision is another sexist attempt to force women's bodies to symbolise certain ideological notions of propriety.

It also goes to reflect that women in Malaysia are still considered appendages of men: worn like perfume or mere trophy wives draping the arms of 'datuk-datuk'. Since the police circular did say that 'wearing the tudung will highlight the Islamic values permeated in the force which is in line with the requirement of the religion', it is no good to deny that wearing the tudung does not signify Islam and 'Muslimness'.

Therefore, the 'compulsory' nature of having to wear it despite the female officer's religion goes against the so-called multicultural tolerance Malaysia is always so proud to boast about. In reality, we minorities know this is just another instance, one of many, of the assimilation to Malay hegemony.

After all, it is always the minorities who are accused of being intolerant of Islam, but the arrogant and ethnocentric focus of some Muslim Malay politicians towards minority cultures and religions are never questioned. You tell me if there isn't something wrong with this picture of multicultural harmony here.

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