Malaysian local body bans lipstick, high heels to prevent rape at work places

Kota Baru (Malaysia), June 24 : In a bid to prevent incidents like rape and illicit sex in shops and other business premises, the Kota Bura municipal council in Malaysia has reportedly issued a circular directing the fairer sex, particularly Muslim women, not to sport bright-coloured lipstick or wear high-heeled shoes to work.

Dated May 25 and signed by municipal council president Shafie Ismail, the circular said the directive was targeted at Muslim women employees working in food outlets and other business premises.

Those who insisted on wearing high-heeled shoes should choose those with rubber soles, the staronline.com quoted it as saying.

The directive on the wearing of lipstick and high-heeled shoes is in addition to the wearing of scarves covering the chest, and that the scarf should not be of any transparent material, and blouses should be with long sleeves having long and loose, as well as socks.

Those who do not adhere to the regulation can be fined up to 500 ringgits, added the directive.

ANI