Ipoh, Malaysia, June 30, 2016: The Ipoh City Council was in the soup after it had tried to unsuccessfully get saree, an Indian garment, banned for the Aidilfitri congregation on July 1.
However, on last Saturday, it clarified that its words were misunderstood. It, in the most ludicrous way, suggested that when it says that ‘except saree’ it actually meant that the staff could turn up in a saree leaving the Hindu community of Malaysia perplexed!
It further said that those of the staff who work in the field can make a choice to wear a saree, office wear, or anything that is appropriate for the ceremony.
Ever since it had issued this clarification the Council has become the butt of all jokes for its refusal to apologize on its very obvious mistake, with many even lamenting that the council did not even try for a ‘proper cover-up’ and or at least try to pick the right words to do so!
Hindraf was left fuming and Perak Chief K Nagesh handed a letter of complaint on the Saree ban to Menteri Besar’s office of Ipoh.
Earlier a prominent cleric had asked the non-Muslim minorities of Malaysia to dress conservatively so as to not hurt the sentiments of the fasting Muslims in Ramadan.
Malaysia has been in the news for the wrong reasons for its ‘dirty Hindu‘ slide in a university and the desecration of Hindu Temples which have angered the minority community. But with the Saree ban, it seems that Malaysia has added another feather in its cap.
Pic of the dictate courtesy: Sudar Oli Malaysia
