Tuesday June 24, 2008 MYT 5:41:23 PM

KOTA BARU: The municipal council (MPKB) has clarified that remarks on lipstick and high heel shoes in its circular in May, were meant to spread religious activities.

Its public relations director Azman Mohd Daham said the circular was not a compulsory guideline for Muslim female staff to follow but to encourage them to observe the Islamic dress code.

“Muslim women need not be unduly worried. No action would be taken if they wear thick make-up or high heel shoes,” he told journalists.

Azman was responding to a news report that MPKB had banned Muslims from wearing make-up and high heel shoes which generate loud noises in business and commercial premises under its jurisdiction.

Thick make-up and high heel shoes can give rise to cases of rape and adultery while on a hindsight, a strict adherence to proper Islamic attire was to preserve the dignity of women here, the circular said.

The case was among several that MPKB has found itself embroiled in some form of controversy.

Previously, it was criticised for banning outfits deemed to be sexy and made it compulsory for Muslim women to wear headscarves at commercial, trade and tourism premises.

The latest circular also touches on wearing long sleeves up to the wrist, not to wear transparent attire and wearing socks which cover up their ankles.

State Women Affairs Committee chairman Wan Ubaidah Wan Omar was reported to have said that she supported the circular and asked why women should slave themselves to attract men by wearing high heels and excessive lipstick.

She contends that make-up in light portion was allowed and wearing high heels too often was unhealthy as it placed undue pressure on the feet of the wearer.