KOTA BARU: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry wants to know why the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) was issuing summonses to women workers over their dressing for the last eight years.

MPKB public relations director Azman Mohd Daham was quoted in a report as saying that every month about 20 women, mostly Muslims, had been issued summonses for not observing the dress code guidelines over the past eight years.

Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said the move might infringe basic human rights.

Under the basic guidelines imposed by the council, Muslim women need to wear headscarves, long sleeves and unrevealing attire.

For non-Muslims, the dress code, is "decent attire."

Dr Ng said a woman has the right to decide on her attire.

"Sporting a lipstick with high heels is her right and the MPKB should refrain from harassing women," she said after a dialogue with 27 non governmental organisations (NGOs) here.

"Let me stress that even a fully clothed woman can be victimised by rogue males. I am disappointed that such an issue continues to occur here," she said.

She was supported by Kelantan Wanita Umno head Senator Wan Hazani Mohd Nor who said women have rights.

She wondered why MPKB seemed so preoccupied with women's dressing in Kelantan.