When news emerged last year that a part-time promoter at a pop-up booth in Tangs was allegedly told to remove her hijab or tudung so she could work on the premises, residents were displeased, to say the least.
Even though Tangs changed its policy later on, the incident sparked a debate over why such rules exist, especially while working in uniformed services like nursing.
This was the question brought up by Worker’s Party MP Faisal Manap in Parliament earlier this month, saying rules barring Muslim women from wearing headgear has deterred many of them from taking up such jobs.
Advertisements
Masagos Zulkifli, the Minister-in-charge for Muslim Affairs, explained that uniformed policy cannot lean towards any particular religious belief, as patients should feel that they will get equal treatment regardless of race or religion.
Now, however, it appears the government has changed its stance.
Nurses Will Likely be Allowed to Wear Tudung to Work After Govt Discussions End
Unbeknownst to many, a couple of weeks after the Tangs incident last year, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said nurses who wish to wear a tudung or headscarf at work will likely be allowed to do so.
At the time, Mr Shanmugam was speaking at a closed-door discussion with senior religious leaders and members of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG).
Then, on Tuesday (23 March), he confirmed the government’s stance on the issue, saying the move can be finalised once it’s discussed with the Malay-Muslim community.
“I told you very frankly: We can see good reasons why nurses should be allowed to wear tudung if they choose to do so. I said this was being discussed internally,” he said.
“And after that, our view is, there is likely to be a change and we are also consulting with the community before we make a change.”
The authorities have also discussed the move with Muis (the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) to get their views on the matter, Mr Shanmugam said.
Advertisements
The Nee Soon Member of Parliament (MP) said discussions with the community are ongoing and will take a few more months. Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong will also meet with Muslim community leaders.
“When the discussions are completed, the Government will announce its decision,” he said.
Issue Had Been “Discussed For a Long Time”
Ustaz Mohd Hasbi Hassan, co-chairman of the RRG, said this issue had been “discussed for a long time.”
He was pleased that the government was willing to change its stance on the matter, adding that more discussions with the Malay-Muslim community may be necessary to get a more concrete view.
In the meantime, be patient, Mr Hasbi advised. “To wait for good results, (we) must be patient.”
Advertisements
Feature Image: anythings / Shutterstock.com
These five GRCs could see the tightest battle in GE2025; here’s why:
Read Also:
- Trump Exempts Electronics from 125% China Tariffs, Sparing Smartphones and Computers
- Elderly Charity Shop Owner Baffled by Over 50 Boxes of Mystery Donation Blocking Store Entrance
- DNA from Two Men Discovered on Murdered Singaporean Woman’s Clothing as Court Orders Comparison with Main Suspect
- Former Police Officer Convicted in Fatal Maid Abuse Case That Left Victim Weighing Just 24kg
- Teen Arrested in Johor for Selling AI-Generated Fake Nudes of School Peers for RM2 Each
