Tough Action Against Nudist

ITS time for the government especially our legislator to take concrete action against any act or behavior which is considered as immoral and highly unacceptable in our society.

The call comes after the police have arrested 39 men for allegedly stripping naked during a motivational camp at a holiday resort in Bentong, Pahang.

The men, aged between 19 and 23, reportedly stripped off their clothes during a group activity organised by a private company last weekend.

The matter is currently being investigated under Section 294 (a) of the Penal Code (Act 574).

The mentioned section stipulates that “Whosoever, to the annoyance of others a) does any obscene act in any public place can upon found guilty be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine or both”.

The latest incident involving such behavior is not new in our country where last October 2016, a group of foreign spectators who attended Sepang F1 Grand Prix race were arrested for inappropriate behaviour when they stripped down to their underwear bearing a Jalur Gemilang print.

Their behavior were later being upload and has went viral in social media and caused anger from the public.

The case was investigated under Section 504 of Act 574 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace where upon found guilty can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or both.

Similar incident has happen three years ago in Penang where eight people were arrested for public obscenity after participating in what was called the “Nude Sports Games 2014”, which featured naked men and women dancing on the beach in Telok Kampi and painting each other’s bodies.

The incident were investigated under Section 509 of Act 574 for word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of a person where upon found guilty can be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine or both.

Though the laws are in place to deal with the issue, the matter cannot be taken lightly anymore as it can create social unrest in the country which upholds morality, tradition and values.

Plus if the matter being allowed to continue, it might influence others especially the youngsters to get involve.

The relevant authorities can consider creating new law to deal with the problem.

Having special law on the matter would address the issue comprehensively and allowed heavy punishment to be imposed to the perpetrator along with the co-perpetrator.

It also would bring a strong signal to anyone whether local or foreigner that they must respect the local sensitivity and that there should be a limit for anything.

Beside strengthen the law, creating awareness through education and other equivalent activities might also be useful to highlight the matter in place within our society.

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