Muslim students will not be compelled to wear the tudung, as this is a personal choice and not part of the school uniform or dress code.

Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar told the Dewan Rakyat today that Muslims students are encouraged to wear the tudung, but are not forced to do so.

He was replying a supplementary question from Wan Adnan Wan Mamat (BN-Indera Mahkota) who complained of discrimination against his daughter by the SK Methodist in Kuantan because she does not wear the tudung.

Noh said he would investigate the matter and get an explanation from the school.

At a press conference later, Noh said the ministry will not protect teachers "who create their own regulations".

He said the school authorities cannot take disciplinary action against students for not wearing the tudung.

"Any school that wants to introduce regulations will have to get consent from the state education department, to ensure that these do not contradict the ministry's regulations," he stressed.

Policewomen and tudung

In another development, DAP deputy secretary-general Chong Eng expressed dismay that policewomen including non-Muslims are being forced to wear the tudung.

A News Straits Times report today quoted Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar as saying that all policewomen will have to wear a headscarf at official functions with immediate effect.

This will begin with the 199th Police Day parade on Saturday, a move attributed to uniformity. Those who wish to remove the headscarf after the parade may do so, Bakri said.

Disagreeing with the directive, Chong said "uniformity" is not a strong enough reason to impose the tudung on policewomen.

"I will support the move if Bakri can persuade me that uniformity will lead to efficiency and comfort for the policewomen in the course of their duties," she said in a statement.

The Bukit Mertajam parliamentarian pointed out that Bakri should respect the right of choice among policewomen, since the education ministry has stated that the tudung is not part of the school uniform.

Another DAP leader Fong Po Kuan raised the same concern that the IGP's directive would create "implied pressure" on female police officers.

Fong, who is the deputy Youth chief, urged an end to the practice of the authorities and high-ranking officers targeting women's dress code.

Her statement added that 'uniformity' is not an acceptable excuse as it goes against the principle of freedom of religion.