Aceh's dress code police under fire

Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh

The sharia police officers here are being criticized over their "sweeps" on women -- who have allegedly donned attire deemed inappropriate under Islamic law -- which has been in force in Aceh since 2001.

The alleged violators of the dress code blasted the sharia enforcement task force officers, or Wilayatulhisbah, as arrogant, since the mostly-female force began operating a few weeks ago in the predominantly Muslim province. Many have said they were often treated like common criminals.

Suspected violators were taken aboard police trucks to the sharia enforcement office, where they were later lectured on how to dress in a manner consistent with Islamic law.

The victims admitted they were traumatized after being rounded up and put in police trucks. "It was as if we were being treated like common criminals," said Ani, a 23-year old student from Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah).

She questioned the very reason for her arrest by the dress- code police last week, because she was already wearing a traditional jilbab, (Muslim headscarf), which is considered befitting of a good Muslim woman.

When Islamic law was established in Aceh three years ago, many feared that it would mostly affect women, as it would only take their clothing choices into account.

Ironically, sharia is not, according to some people, being enforced to cope with other major problems in Aceh, particularly rampant corruption and other abuses alleged to have taken place under martial law.

Sharia implementation itself is somewhat controversial because Acehnese Muslim women and the dress-code police differ on what constitutes proper Islamic attire.

A 19-year-old victim named Rina, who resides in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh, said she was extremely humiliated by the way the sharia officers had taken action against her.

"If we had made a mistake, they should have notified us properly. They didn't need to drag us (down to the station) in trucks," she told The Jakarta Post through tears.

Ani and Rina were among a group of women in Aceh, who are upset about the controversial sweeps by the Wilayatulhisbah, in addition to the stress they already face amid separatist- government clashes in the province.

The sharia task force has also launched raids on liquor distribution, prostitution and gambling across Banda Aceh and neighboring towns in the restive province.

However, its implementation has mostly been focused on women's attire. For that reason, the sweep victims have lodged a protest because they felt they were dressed appropriately.

Wilayatulhisbah chief T. Lembong Misbah said that under sharia, Muslim women must wear headscarves and are banned from wearing such things as tight jeans or see-through skirts.

Sharia officers would arrest any Muslim woman wearing tight or transparent clothing, even if they are wearing the jilbab, he said.

"It (the mass arrest) is merely for the process of educating them. There will be no legal action taken against the violators, at least not yet," Lembong told the Post.

He explained that those picked up in the raids were ordered to sign a statement at the sharia enforcement office vowing to never again wear "un-Islamic" clothing.

"We are legally authorized by a sharia bylaw to make arrests of violators," he stressed.

However, the sharia enforcement task force has also been accused of discriminating against Muslim women.

"I've noticed that if the wives or girlfriends of soldiers were affected by the raids, they were immediately released. Isn't that discrimination?" wondered Abdullah, 45, a civil servant.

Aceh sharia office head Alyasa' Abubakar said he would check into the allegations. "If there is a mistake, we will correct it," he said.

The sharia officers, mostly women, were hired in September 2003 on a contract basis for a one-year term. However, they have only been active on the streets in Banda Aceh over the last few weeks.