On the Tudung issue — “Penat Lah”
I remember this phrase my friend told me — made popular by Alfian Sa’at two years ago on the Nets brownface ad in Singapore:
“Penat lah.”
This week, that same feeling of weariness and despondency has again crept up inside me after hearing Minister of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli discuss one particular topic affecting the Muslim community — the Tudung issue.
Just last year, we were having this debate when President Halimah Yacob spoke up about a Tangs salesperson who was not allowed to wear the religious headgear at work.
Another year, another empty talk about addressing the desire of Muslim women in Singapore who want to don the tudung as part of their uniforms–many of them, nurses and policewomen who have been on the frontline during the worst times of the Covid-19 pandemic in Singapore.
In his speech, Minister Masagos said that wearing the tudung is a very visible marker of one’s religion.
“We don’t want patients to prefer or not prefer to be served by a Muslim nurse, nor do we want people to think that public security is being enforced by a Muslim or non-Muslim officer.”
After so many years of preaching racial harmony and tolerance, aren’t we going backwards by having this mindset?
Imagine if women engineers needed to conceal their gender while working because it is “assumed” the industry preferred men and would pick on the women. Would the Women’s Rights Group let that go?
Why are we depriving Muslim public servants who are doing a service for others and for the country of religious freedom, instead of correcting those who are racist or Islamophobic?
Some may argue that there is no consistency in the practices of Muslim women–where some of us cover our heads while some do not, therefore it is ok. But it is the same as why some Catholics attend Mass on Sundays and some do not.
Covering our hair is obligatory as it says in the Quran. However, it is still a personal choice.
Sometimes, I wonder if Muslims are indeed asking too much. I wonder what goes on behind the government's “careful closed-door discussions” as Minister Masagos puts across. I wonder if there was actual feedback from the ground that wearing a tudung affects one’s work in the public sector. I wonder if there is an underlying fear from the majority group in Singapore about Malays and Muslims.
If only you’ll tell us so that we can reassure you.
I wonder and wonder… and then I go:
“Penat lah.”
We need some answers, Minister Masagos… maybe next year? 🙄
