TERENGGANU, Malaysia (4 May 2002) -- Looking for beautiful beaches, pristine reefs and hospitable, friendly locals who know how to welcome their foreign guests? Forget about northeast Malaysia unless you like being punished for failing to comply with new regulations imposed by Taliban-like Muslim fanatics. The extremist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) state government in Terengganu has ruled that tourists will be banned from wearing bikinis and other revealing garments (speedos?), and men and women will be forced to swim in separate pools. According to Malaysia tourism officials, the Taliban-like regime has launched an "educational program" to ensure that foreigners respect Muslim culture and tradition. "It is not healthy to have both sexes together in (swimming pools)," insisted state tourism executive committee chairman Wan Hassan Mohamed Ramli. "We are not doing something which is beyond understanding but something which is required of Islam." Banned in Malaysia--Try Thailand! | | Since taking control, the radical PAS regime, which aims to impose its Islamic fundamentalism throughout Malaysia, has shut down pubs, karaoke bars, unisex salons and gaming outlets. Last month, it announced plans to amend the state constitution in order to make Islamic Sharia law supreme in Terengganu. Sharia law punishes some criminal offences with the amputation of hands or feet. After oil and gas, tourism is the second largest industry in Terengganu, accounting for 1.39 million visitors last year. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
