Kuala Lumpur - The spiritual leader of Malaysia's hardline opposition Islamic party on Monday defended a national ban on Muslim women dressing and acting as males.

The country's national fatwa council which makes Islamic rulings had recently outlawed the practice of "tomboyism," or females dressing and behaving like males.

Nik Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia, hailed the decision, saying it was God's command that women should dress and behave as women.

"Who are we to go against Allah's commands, are we that great?" he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Following the ruling, at least two Muslim non-governmental organizations have protested the move, saying it infringed on the rights of individuals to express themselves. (dpa)