A DAP lawmaker has criticised the Kelantan government decision to ban male spectators from watching netball tournaments.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching ( right ) questioned whether the ban would be extended to other sports, such as basketball and badminton, as well.

"If the ban on male spectators is introduced in netball because netball involves active movements, does that mean the ban will be extended to other sports as well?" Teo asked in a statement.

She further questioned the purpose of the ban, asking whether it was to bar men from watching.

"If that is the case, is the Kelantan government of the view that none of the male spectators can appreciate the beauty of sport?" she queried.

MCA slams DAP for lack of concern

Kelantan's move to ban male spectators from a state-organised netball tournament next month has courted the ire of many quarters, particularly MCA.

MCA in the past week has also slammed DAP for its "lack of concern" over the issue, with its Wanita chief, Heng Seai Kie ( right ), accusing the party of being "too absorbed" with the Selangor menteri besar crisis to bother about other important issues.

Meanwhile, Teo further questioned whether the Kelantan government's decision was to bar women from being looked at.

She argued that as long as female athletes were properly attired for the game, they should not be ashamed of participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.

Citing decorated Russian, Turkish and German female Muslim athletes such as Aliya Mustafina, Asli Çakir Alptekin and Fatmire “Lira” Bajramaj, Teo pointed out that there were many respectable and outstanding female athletes around the world.

"(As such), why should we bar them from being seen by the world?"

She also pointed out how Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei had decided to include female athletes in their games delegations since 2012.

"They used to bar their female athletes from the Olympic Games because they would be participating in front of a mixed-gender crowd.

"However things have changed since 2012. It is time for the Kelantan government to widen its horizon," Teo added.