Melaka religious dept to moot bikini ban for Pulau Besar

KUALA LUMPUR – The Melaka Islamic Affairs Department (JAIM) will propose an enactment to prohibit immodest clothing in Pulau Besar after foreign tourists were seen wearing bikinis on the island.

JAIM director Datuk Che Sukri Che Mat said the matter will be discussed on Tuesday with Melaka Historic City Council, Melaka Islands Development Council, and police.

He told Buletin TV3 today that the enactment is necessary to implement measures that safeguard the resort island from actions that may violate religious laws.

“It is understood that tourists wearing immodest clothes on Pulau Besar went viral on social media, causing discomfort among the public and netizens.

“However, we cannot take action because they are non-Muslims. There is no enactment for this.”

Section 71 of the Syariah Offences Enactment (Melaka State) 1991 only applies to Muslims.

For now, he said he has sought hotel and boat operators to warn tourists against dressing immodestly.

“We plan to put up signs and reminders for tourists to dress appropriately, not in bikinis.”

A two-minute video clip of several foreign tourists wearing bikinis in Pulau Besar has garnered more than 1,600 Facebook shares. – The Vibes, January 1, 2023