I refer to the malaysiakini report DAP: Kota Baru 'sexy dress' ruling foolish .

Far from perfecting its multiracial representation, DAP immaturely breaches the inter-religious dimension to extrapolate its own misunderstanding of the new dress code policy with no consideration of Kelantan's socio-cultural scene.

The party's secretaryp-general accused PAS of not 'upholding democracy and human rights' and deemed the dress code as a 'threat to their (the non-Muslims') daily lives'. Suddenly, the 'right' to exhibit one's breast's cleavage in the public space is treasured as if the Kelantanese non-Muslims' quality of live will sharply dwindle if they choose loose shirts or cheongsams or saris over tight bikini-like clothing.

Have the DAP leaders ever experienced living side-by-side with the Kelantanese to understand their core values and belief? Expectations to conform to collectively accepted social values is not an obsession. It has to do with the quality of the live of the Kelantanese. Even in corporate offices people are expected to conform to certain dress codes.

I have always thought that DAP stands for people of all kinds regardless of their ethnic lineage or belief system. DAP has been always promoting the spirit of the public's participatory role as part of good governance and social justice. But whenever syariah-inspired laws are being propagated in the interest of common good, DAP is very quick to distort the intention of the law with the unfounded fear of 'Islamic state' or 'Islamisation'. They don't even gauge the feelings of the Muslims.

DAP must acknowledge that a lot of Muslims in Malaysia are fed up with the incessant exposure of sexually-charged visuals in public, especially in the televised, print and outdoor media. These unwanted afflictions are a genuine nuisance to Muslims who have been divinely ordered to lower their gaze from scenes that rise even slightest tinge of sexual desire. I believe true followers of Dharmic and Abrahamic religions understand the danger of indiscriminate sexual vanity and narcissism.

If practicing Muslims are expected to self-censor everything, that will really restricts their freedom of movement, freedom to socialise and freedom to obtain information. This blatant deprivation of our basic human rights is self-evident in that we can't read the English-based media due to the alcoholic and entertainment-related ads.

As a young observing Muslim, I want to read the diverse thoughts propagated in the English newspapers. But curvy cleavages and bubbling beers have no merging ideals at all with auto reviews or cross-culture writings. Practicing Muslims like me also don't want to miss out fun public events within any socio-cultural sphere. Is too much to ask for Muslims' wishes and worries to be incorporated within the rules of conduct that govern these spheres?

It is common sense for all of us, especially male youths with raging internal hormones, to unconsciously put our unwanted sexual gratification on autopilot mode when confronted by the shape-revealing dresses of the opposite sex highlighting buttocks and breasts. Such exposures in public areas should have been banned long ago. Sexually-charged expression is best kept private within one's own marital sphere.

However, I would suggest that the proposed fine for 'sexy' dressing in Kelantan should only be applicable for repeat offenders and no penalty should be imposed on female Muslims who choose not to wear the hijab or 'tudung'.

Prescribing a passive and preventive dress code law is better than having moral guardians or CCTVs at every street corner. But the enforcement officers must know their responsibilities and limits as an obsession in finding fault with others and spying on them in private spaces are very much prohibited in Islam.

DAP can criticise on any matter pertaining to the behaviour of Muslims that ignores their responsibilities towards non-Muslims but please criticise on the basis of principles instead of using a prejudiced, Western, Islamophobic worldview.

DAP should look deep within at its own struggle and take into account Muslims' values and principles before it can be considered as a principles-based party of choice by all Malaysians, urban or rural, liberal or conservative.