Pas should emulate Saudi Arabia's approach - Tiong
NOR SYAMIRA LIANA NOR ASHAHA
SHAH ALAM - Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, has called on all political parties, including Pas, to draw inspiration from developed Islamic countries in the tourism sector.
Tiong stressed the importance of learning from countries with significant international influence to ensure the expansion of the tourism industry.
"I would like to invite everyone, especially Pas leaders, to learn from Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia that have successfully developed and expanded their tourism sectors without denying the rights of individuals with different religions," he said in a Facebook post.
The call comes in the wake of a recent incident on June 26, where a non-Muslim businesswoman was fined by the Kota Baru Municipal Council Islamic City (MPKB-BRI) for not wearing appropriate clothing on her business premises.
Highlighting Malaysia's diverse society, the Bintulu MP highlighted that the woman should not have been fined as she was fully clothed and on her own property.
"The woman was not in a regulated area such as a government building that requires a strict dress code.
"Continuing to impose fines on non-Muslim individuals for wearing inappropriate clothing may cause concern among local residents and have a negative impact on the tourism sector," Tiong explained.
He reiterated that the nation's strength lies in upholding the Federal Constitution as the cornerstone of society.
"As a member of the non-Muslim community, I will not deny or question the rights of any religious or ethnic group in our nation," he added.
