Sexy posters in salons not allowed

Kota Baru: The Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) yesterday directed hair salon owners in the state capital to take down posters and pictures of non-Muslim women without head scarves or risk having their operating licence revoked.

MPKB public relations officer Azman Mohd Daham said it was a violation of the council's by-laws to display posters featuring women who dressed in sexy attire or did not cover their aurat (parts of the body not allowed to be exposed according to Islam), especially the head. He said the council would no longer tolerate violations and would take action against errant salon operators.

"Last week, our enforcement officers went to a salon in Berek 12 and found its operator failing to adhere to the regulation. "The officers warned the owner to remove the posters and advised him not to repeat the offence, or face the risk of being fined or having his business licence revoked," he said when contacted yesterday.

Azman was commenting on a report that hair operators were upset following verbal warnings from MPKB to remove posters featuring models who did not cover their heads.

Kelantan Chinese Chambers of Commerce chairman Lee Seng Long said a meeting would be held soon with affected salon operators to discuss the issue.

"We will bring the matter to the exco in charge of local government to find an amicable solution.

"We want to explain to the exco and MPKB that by enforcing the rules, salon operators' business would be unduly affected.

"We will do our best to help salon operators conduct business."