Senator: All Malaysian Flight Attendants Should Wear Syariah-Compliant Uniforms
He said that this will best portray Malaysia's image as a Muslim country.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 12 Dec 2017, 12:36 PM
Malaysian female flight attendants should wear syariah-compliant uniforms, says Senator Datuk Hanafi Mamat
According to Bernama, Hanafi stressed that this is line with Malaysia's image as a Muslim country.
"We are proud that Malaysia is an Islamic country with its own cultural identity. But when our flight attendants dress up sexily and disrespectfully, this will give tourists who use the services of our national carriers the wrong impression.
"The time has come for the government to provide new uniform guidelines which will portray Malaysia as a Muslim country with strong eastern values," he explained, during the debate on the Supply Bill 2018 at the Dewan Negara yesterday, 11 December.
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country, where Islam is the official religion. Approximately 60% of the 28 million Malaysian population are Muslims. However, the Syariah laws in the country are only applicable to Muslims and is used to resolve conflicts related to creed and family matters.
National flag-carrier Malaysia Airlines' female flight attendants' uniform is the iconic sarong kebaya
Hanafi believes that the change in uniform style would not hurt the airline companies as their businesses depended on the delivery of service quality.
Last month, an opposition MP challenged the government to allow Muslim female flight attendants in Malaysia to wear tudung with long sleeved blouses and trousers instead of the kebaya
"I challenge the government. Malaysia Airlines is a government-linked company. And whatever airlines that operate within Malaysia, they are on Malaysian land.
"If they take Muslim workers from Malaysia, they should give a choice," Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud from Parti Amanah Negara told Malay Mail Online on 25 November.
She did, however, stress that Muslim women shouldn't be forced to cover their aurat.
"There are some people who feel it's not wajib (compulsory). But for people who feel it's wajib, 'I want to do it', give them the choice," added Dr Siti Mariah.