Tourists visiting Terengganu must abide by dress code

(The Star) – Tourists visiting Terengganu must now abide by a dress code prohibiting revealing clothing, especially for women.

An article on the state government news portal Teganukita said a circular with guidelines on attire will soon be released to all Malaysian travel agents and Malaysian tourism offices in neighbouring countries, including Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

The website states that the guidelines are targeted at tourists, especially female tourists.

State Tourism and Cultural Affairs chairman Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee said that he was certain the new ruling, along with the implementation of syariah criminal enactments (Takzir) 2001, would not deter tourists from visiting the state.

However, Mohd Jidin, who is also Permaisuri assemblyman, clarified that action will only be taken once the circular is released.

“Before legal action is imposed on women who wear revealing attire in public, to the point that it can arouse onlookers, a letter with guidelines will be issued,” he was reported as saying.

Mohd Jidin explained that a meeting was held with the Terengganu Islamic and Malay Heritage Council to prepare the guidelines to ensure that it would be acceptable to all concerned.

He explained that ever since the ruling on attire was announced by Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman two weeks ago, both local and international tourists have abided by them.

According to a source, the ruling does not require men and women to comply 100% with the Islamic dress code. However, visitors and locals must dress decently.

Those who fail to do so will be called in for counselling.

For underage perpetrators, their parents will also be called in to attend the counselling session, the source said.

It is understood that a meeting will be held today to further clarify the guidelines.