KUALA LUMPUR: DAP’s M Kulasegaran agrees that devotees should be appropriately dressed for the Thaipusam festival next month but cautioned against moral policing, referring to a group which has threatened to spray-paint women who turn up in Batu Caves dressed inappropriately.

“There must be no threat of violence against anyone failing to abide by any dress code,” said the Ipoh Barat lawmaker in a statement.

“Increased awareness on appropriate wear must only be done through education and publicity.

“Spray painting was obviously against the law. No one should take the law into their own hands.”

He was commenting on a Facebook group warning women to expect being spray-painted should they be “inappropriately dressed” at the Thaipusam celebrations which begin on Feb 9.

He said tourists in shorts were turned away last week at the main Hindu temple in Ipoh, adding that they too, must abide by the dress code at temples.

“The failure of some on dressing appropriately for Thaipusam at Batu Caves and at other Hindu temples has become an issue of concern which is understandable,” he said.

Kula pointed out that Thaipusam was not only a big religious event in Malaysia but a major tourist attraction, adding it must not be marred by unpleasant incidents.

“It can tarnish the event and country’s image internationally.”

He noted that many religious places all over the world have dress codes for visitors.

Thaipusam was a religious event, he reiterated. “It’s therefore necessary that devotees and visitors are appropriately dressed.”