Malaysian city reminds Muslim women to avoid bright lipstick, high heels

Kuala Lampur, Malaysia - Authorities in a northern Malaysian city are calling on Muslim women not to wear bright lipstick and noisy high-heel shoes if they want to follow the "Islamic way," an official said Tuesday.

The municipal council in Kota Baru, run by a conservative Islamic party, is distributing pamphlets that recommend women refrain from wearing heavy makeup, including bright lipstick, and loud high-heel shoes to work, council spokesman Azman Mohamad Daham said.

"We just distribute pamphlets. Our minimum guideline is they must wear headscarves," he said. "The rest is up to them. If they want to follow the 100 percent Islamic way, it's up to them."

He said the suggestions aim to prevent rape and protect women's dignity and morals. The campaign started in 2006, but new pamphlets are circulated each year, he said.

Kota Baru is the capital of Kelantan state, which is ruled by the conservative opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.