KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat made history today as several lawmakers donned the Malaysian batik to attend proceedings.
Making mention of this, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri commended lawmakers who wore the national dress today, the first time MPs have been allowed to put on the attire in the lower house.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank MPs who are looking smart and elegant wearing the Malaysian batik today.
“You deserve all the applause,” she said during Ministers’ Question Time.
Nancy was initially responding to questions pertaining to the ministry’s strategy and plan to assist industry players affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had on October 11 tabled a motion to allow long-sleeved Malaysian batik tops to be worn in the Dewan Rakyat every Thursday, which was approved unanimously.
“This was a suggestion from the tourism, arts and culture minister (Nancy) to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to promote the country’s heritage.
“Wearing batik clothing (in Parliament on Thursdays) is not mandatory and will be on voluntary basis,” Wan Junaidi had said while tabling the motion.
Among those seen donning the attire today were Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat-Bersatu), Nancy, and fellow cabinet member Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa (Ketereh-BN).
Some of the MPs who wore batik were Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH), Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (Hulu Rajang-GPS), Karupaiya Mutusami (Padang Serai-PH), Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Sik-PAS), Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) and Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (Tumpat-PAS).
Others were Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria (Parit-BN), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang-PH), Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau-PH), and Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH). – The Vibes, October 28, 2021
