If writer JJ Ray is critical of the media for portraying women as sex objects, then he/she should not, in the same breath, criticise Terengganu Municipal Council's prescription of a dress code for working women

The latter proceeds on similar premises: that a woman's intrinsic self-worth is not measured by appearance. Hence her beauty should be covered up, rather than displayed.

Apart from problem of internal consistency, the other is the writer's assumption that firstly media's emphasis of physical attributes of women necessarily portrays them as sex objects and, secondly, that somehow this is linked to men's view of women (as sex objects) - a view that exacerbates rape more than women's state of dress or undress as the Terengganu Municipal Council seemed to suggest.

The assumptions are questionable. At the outset, why does the media's glorification of a woman's physical attributes necessarily imply that a woman has no other intrinsic quality (of brains or character)?

It may be also asked why a woman wears a lipstick. Doesn't a blotch of red on the lips hint at the salacious? If one believes it, some anthropologists (Diane Ackerman for example) even liken a red pouting lip as symbol of woman's aroused genitalia.

So even if lipstick is intended by women themselves to sexually allure men and I am not saying it is - does it necessarily mean that women's self-decoration or enhancement of appearances necessarily imply their own admission that they do not possess other attributes of brains or character or moral virtues to flaunt?

Or that the emphasis on physical appearances would necessarily encourage men to view women as sex objects, and that being so viewed would encourage the men's propensity to rape?

If the view is taken that lipstick is not intended to make a woman sexier but it is part of the overall perception of confidence well groomed and self-esteem, Mariah Carey too could equally attribute her 'sexy' dressing to these 'excuses' as well.

Now, PAS has been slammed as living in dark ages for calling a ban to her impending concert, while DAP Wanita chief Chong Eng has urged PAS to channel its energy towards helping to solve more serious issues like pornography instead of harping on inconsequential matters such as Mariah's provocative dressing.

Does JJ Ray consider Mariah Carey, this diva and icon of feminine achievement, as encouraging, through her sexy dressing or performance, sexual objectification of women in men's eyes as well?

It is true that violence against women or children is on the rise as reported in media, which is a cause of concern and counteraction. But it is not helpful to cite as true the clichs of women being viewed as sexual objects.

Is it not the case that repression, and denial of the natural expression of the basic instinct of sex at the wider societal level, be nearer to the mark?

Is it not that in coming to terms with our sexuality, demystifying it, and allowing for more open expression an opportunity to lessen the freakishness of thought and conduct, and therefore deviance and sexual crime?