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By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) August 2023
North Korea has finally caught up with Malaysia.
Both countries now have one rule in common: women are not allowed to wear shorts in public.
Recently, a woman in Kota Bahru was fined for wearing shorts in her own shop. In recent months, a few others were barred from entering government facilities for wearing shorts or skirts that were above the knee. Apparently, this rule still applies for entry into government offices despite complaints from the general public.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that North Korea too has followed in our footsteps, banning women from wearing shorts in the latest crackdown on “behaviours or practices deemed to be foreign or capitalist.”
Under the country's Reactionary Thought and Culture Act, it was declared that a woman who wears clothing that does not reach below the knee line is categorised as having flouted the principles of 'socialist etiquette'.
It's summer in Kim Jong Un's country where temperatures exceed 30 degrees Centigrade, and it's hot and humid. Shorts are ideal for such weather.
According to the Daily Mail, in a country where most citizens are already subject to horrendous living standards under Kim, the dynastic leader, this new rule may further anger the population.
The paper reports that a resident of North Korea's South Pyongan province told Radio Free Asia on condition of anonymity: "The authorities are stopping women who wear shorts on the streets, saying that it is not in line with socialist tradition and lifestyle.
"A few years ago, they were cracking down on wide-legged skirt pants, saying they were Japanese fashion," she said.
“Many women are complaining, asking why men can wear shorts and women can't. They are saying that the authorities are discriminating against us.”
So, Malaysia and North Korea are now similar where wearing shorts for women is concerned. Or for wearing short skirts in public facilities. These regulations have angered women in both countries who regard the practice as discriminatory.
Let's hope the similarities between the two countries end there, although there are complaints about the possibility of Malaysia becoming like North Korea because our own government appears to be moving towards limiting free speech. If that should happen, then our two countries would definitely be really similar in more ways than one!
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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