"Enhancing the image of the police" was the core reason why policewomen regardless of ethnic and religious background, were told to wear tudung.

According to a circular issued by Bukit Aman police headquarters, a copy of which was made available to DAP parliamentarian Fong Po Kuan and distributed to reporters in Parliament today, "the wearing of tudung for female police officers was an effort to enhance the image of the force".

The circular signed by Inspector-General of Police Mohd Bakri Omar also stated that 'wearing tudung will highlight the Islamic vale permeated in the force which is in line with the requirement of the religion'.

"The order was issued to ensure the uniformity of all female police officers in wearing tudung at certain times and circumstances," it said.

Bakri was reported as saying yesterday that the requirement was to ensure 'uniformity' of the police in official functions.

The circular said that the Home Ministry had agreed that the wearing of tudung was 'compulsory' for all female police officers regardless of race and religion in six forms of official functions including during march-past, graduation and during the national day.

Other occasions that female police officers have to wear tudung were "attending official functions in Istana Negara, award ceremonies, meetings at Islamic affair department or Islamic centre, proceedings in Syariah courts and Islamic functions where it is compulsory to wear tudung such as an Islamic funeral".

"Apart from the occasions set earlier, female officers were given a choice whether to wear tudung while on duty," said the circular dated March 14.

Fong told a press conference at Parliament lobby that it was unacceptable that non-Muslim policewomen were forced to wear tudung.

"There shall be no compulsion in religion and the act to make wearing tudung compulsory is not in line with this principle," said Fong.

Debates in the House

Earlier, the House witnessed an exchange of words between DAP members and a BN backbencher on the issue.

It started during Md Alwi Che Ahmad's (BN-Ketereh) debate in thanking the royal address.

When he touched on the importance of tolerance between religions, Chong and Fong and her colleague, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam), chipped in to ask him whether it was acceptable to force policewomen to wear tudung.

Responding, Md Alwi said a lot of non-Muslims wear headscarf and they do not have problem with it.

"The objection to wear tudung was highlighted because they (the opposition) want to be a champion," he said.

This irked Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) and he thundered in the House, "What we tried to say was that the directive has elements of compulsion."

Unfazed, Md Alwi responded: "This was the champion I was talking about. Let's see how they bring 'poison' to us."

Yen Yen in the spotlight

In the commotion, Deputy Finance Minister and MCA Wanita chief Dr Ng Yen Yen, clad in Baju Melayu, walked into the hall.

Immediately, Md Alwi said "See, the deputy minister is wearing Baju Melayu. But this did not make her Muslim. Yet, she's so beautiful," said Md Alwi, to laughter from the parliamentarians.

Disagreeing with Md Alwi, Chong shouted at him: "Then why don't you ask her to wear tudung?"

Met at the lobby later, Ng appeared puzzled at first as to why she was suddenly thrust into the spotlight by the MPs.

When told about the matter, she said she would seek clarification from the IGP as to whether the non-Muslim policewomen have to wear tudung.

"I don't not believe that he (IGP) talked about non-Muslims. If so, then Wanita MCA is against it as this is a multi-cultural and multi-religious country," she added.