In an attempt to challenge the Kelantan government's controversial ruling on unisex hair salons, a team of Gerakan members from Negri Sembilan had a special hairdressing session at a salon in the state capital.

This afternoon, however, the Kelantan exco decided that the ruling would be suspended temporarily, with immediate effect.

The Gerakan team, which had left Negri Sembilan at 10.30am on Monday and arrived in Kota Baru some 12 hours later, was led by Negri Sembilan Gerakan assistant secretary David Choong and comprised five other members.

NONE After staying a night, the Gerakan team went to a hair salon.

Contacted later, Choong said all the four hairdressers are female, while his team comprised four males and two females.

Only he had a haircut, while the rest opted for a hairwash.

"We spent about one and a half hours there and not only got our hair cut and washed, but we also waited for the local council (enforcement officers) to come," Choong said.

However, he said the officers did not arrive although about 20 curious bystanders gathered outside the salon.

'Will organise a bigger team soon'

Expressing his disappointment with the absence of the officers, Choong said he would propose to the party headquarters to organise a bigger "fact-finding" team to Kota Baru soon.

He added that the aim of the trip was to challenge the implementation of Syariah law in Kelantan and ensure that the livelihood of non-Muslims is not affected.

NONE "We strongly oppose any form of theocratic rule. Syariah law can't be imposed on non-Muslims.

"Now that we see the ban in hair salons, we are worried that even doctors will not be able to treat a patient of the opposite sex in the near future."

The controversy over the strict enforcement of local council rules on unisex hair salons erupted when a female hairdresser was summoned by Kota Baru Municipal Council for cutting the hair of a non-Muslim male customer.

The ruling has since drawn flak from some political parties from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat, in particular MCA and DAP.

However, following a meeting with state exco members Takiyuddin Hassan and Muhamed Fadzli Hassan, Kelantan Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairperson Goh Tee Chew is optimistic that the ruling will be relaxed .

The state is expected to announce its decision on the ruling after the executive council meeting today.

This afternoon, Star Online reported that the ruling has been temporarily suspended with immediate effect.

It also quoted Takiyuddin, who heads the local government, culture and tourism committee, as saying that the move would give the state government time to review the relevant bylaws.