Mas Ermieyati urged the association to specify which international policy was used to justify the headscarf ban, claiming that there is no such law. ― Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has urged the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) to explain its ban against Muslim staff members from wearing headscarves.

Mas Ermieyati urged the association to specify which international policy was used to justify the ban, claiming that there is no such law.

“This policy is not fair to the women who want to work in the sector,” she reportedly said in a report by Utusan Malaysia.

“Malaysian employers should know about our Federal Constitution which is based on freedom of religion and this must be respected.”

The ban had caused uproar among some Islamist groups and opposition party PAS, since it was highlighted last week.

In response, MAH had reportedly defended the policy, saying that it is in accordance to international standards of operation.