KUALA TERENGGANU - The clothing etiquette guidelines set by the State Entertainment, Cultural Performance and Sports department are only for Muslim tourists.
Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Exco Datuk Razali Idris stated that non-Muslim tourists did not need to worry about travellling to Terengganu as they were not obligated to follow the guidelines.
However, he said non-Muslim tourists must respect the culture and customs of the Malay community in the state by not going beyond the guidelines provided.
"Non-Muslim tourists can wear clothes suited to the activities they want to do, for example if they want to swim at the resort islands, they can wear a swimming suit, but they should not wear it in public places like Pasar Besar Payang...that's really not allowed.
"They (non-Muslim tourists) can wear what they usually wear, but don’t do things such as drinking openly in a public area,” he told reporters after officiating the 2023 Terengganu Chinese Peranakan Festival at the Kuala Terengganu City Centre here on Monday.
It was reported recently that the state government was asked to be stricter in enforcing clothing etiquette for Muslim tourists in Terengganu.
Ladang Assemblyman Zuraida Md Noor said the implementation of syariah compliance clothing throughout the state should also cover hotels, resorts, islands, beaches, entertainment centres, cinemas and other locations by all portfolios, agencies and government departments in Terengganu.
Razali said the clothing etiquette set in the guidelines was for the purpose of educating Muslim tourists to comply with clothing as set by Islam.
"Currently no Muslim tourist has been sentenced for going against the clothing etiquette. This means the state government is in its educating phase, and we don't want to punish or impose fines.
"At the same time, tourism industry players must play their roles in reminding tourists to wear appropriate gear and clothing and not stand out throughout their stay in Terengganu,” he explained.