What was the reaction of members to the Long Bar ban being lifted?

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Royal Selangor Club Members Express Mixed Reactions to Lifting of Long Bar Ban

Members of the Royal Selangor Club (RSC) have voiced a range of emotions following the club's decision to lift a 139-year-old ban on women entering its Long Bar. The vote, held at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM), passed with an overwhelming majority, though some dissent was noted.
Triumph and Continued Struggle for Equality

For some members, the lifting of the ban represents a significant moment of triumph. Lorela Chia described her feelings as a "mixed bag of emotions," acknowledging the celebratory aspect of ending a long-standing exclusion. However, she also highlighted that this achievement serves as a reminder that the pursuit of equality and equitability is an ongoing process, even after 139 years.
Overwhelming Majority Vote Amidst Dissent

The decision to remove the prohibition was met with substantial support from the club's membership. Ramesh Rajaratnam confirmed that the vote was carried by an overwhelming majority. Despite this strong consensus, he also indicated that there was "some dissent" among members regarding the change, suggesting that not all individuals were in agreement with the policy shift.
Historical Context of the Ban and Temporary Lifts

The Royal Selangor Club, founded by the colonial British in 1884, had maintained the exclusion of women from the Long Bar for over a century. The purported reason for the original ban was to prevent men from displaying "exuberant behaviour" during games where they might become overly excited, which the founders did not wish ladies to witness. While the rule was permanent, it had been temporarily suspended on specific occasions in the past, including New Year's Day and for the 1998 World Hash Run.
Procedural Requirement for Full Access

Despite the EGM's decision, full access for women to the Long Bar remains pending. The lifting of the ban is contingent upon the formal approval of the amendment by the Registrar of Societies. Until this administrative step is completed, the Long Bar will continue to be inaccessible to female members and guests.

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What was the reaction of members to the Long Bar ban being lifted?

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