Don't tell women what to wear like 'extremist' PAS, DAP sec-gen tells Boo

 

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has ticked off the party's Johor committee member Boo Cheng Hau for his reaction towards Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh for wearing a headscarf when visiting a mosque.

Lim said Boo would do better to focus on people-centric issues such as the soaring prices of basic necessities instead of "obsessing over what attire is worn by DAP women leaders when visiting mosques or religious places of worship".

"For a DAP male leader to make a fuss over the proper clothing worn by DAP Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh when visiting a mosque is no different from extremist and primitive PAS leaders who want to control what women can or cannot wear.

"This would not only be gender insensitive but also show that we are just as intolerant and regressive as the extremist PAS leaders," Lim (above) said in a statement.

Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, said Yeoh had done nothing wrong and should be praised instead of being criticised.

"Would wearing a turban or head covering when visiting a Sikh temple receive similar criticism?

"Unfortunately, such unjustifiable criticism by one state leader has cast a bad light on the entire party.

"Showing respect to another religion in a religious place of worship cannot be taken to be seen as abandoning our own faith. Neither should it be seen as an act of appeasement," he said.

Lim said there should be more support for mutual respect and tolerance in a multiracial society to encourage unity in diversity.

"Let us focus on pressuring the government to inject RM3 billion in a National Price Stabilisation Fund to curb the soaring prices for eggs, chicken, bread, vegetables, cooking oil, and even ice cubes as well as imported fertilisers, insecticides, and construction materials and labour, that has adversely affected the livelihood of the rakyat by cutting the purchasing power of many households by more than half," he said.

Hannah Yeoh visiting a mosque

Boo, the former Johor DAP chief, had lashed out over Yeoh's attire in a WhatsApp group comprising DAP leaders.

"Maybe all of our women reps should wear the hijab not only in mosques but all over in public markets, churches, schools, and so on.

"Best still, all should convert to Islam. Then we will be ensured to win Putrajaya in the next general election. What say you, smart dudes?" Boo had said.

Other leaders, whose names were redacted, expressed shock at Boo's comments, pointing out that gurdwara and some churches in Europe also require visitors to put on a headscarf.

Party sources confirmed the authenticity of the leaked conversations but Boo declined to confirm them, citing party discipline about internal discussions.

He told Malaysiakini, however, that while cultural sensitivity was important, DAP must go beyond "superficial" means in approaching the Malay community, while being fair to all communities.

Yeoh, who is a Christian, had said she is unapologetic about wearing a headscarf in a mosque.

"Wearing a selendang (headscarf) when I visit a mosque doesn't change my race or my faith.

"Love your neighbour as you love yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Amen," she said in a Twitter post. - Mkini