Malaysia

Historic day in Dewan Rakyat as MPs don batik for the first time

Culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri thrilled as lawmakers throng Parliament in national dress

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 28 Oct 2021 11:21AM

Historic day in Dewan Rakyat as MPs don batik for the first time
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa is one of the many lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat today who donned batik attire to the proceedings, to the delight of culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. – Screen grab, October 28, 2021

by Amar Shah Mohsen

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. 

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto seen in a traditional batik outfit at Parliament today. – Screen grab, October 28, 2021
Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto seen in a traditional batik outfit at Parliament today. – Screen grab, October 28, 2021

“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

Culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (bottom left) and Lembah Pantai MP (top right) in batik at Dewan Rakyat today. – Screen grab, October 28, 2021
Culture minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (bottom left) and Lembah Pantai MP (top right) in batik at Dewan Rakyat today. – Screen grab, October 28, 2021

Related News

Malaysia / 1mth

MP to raise commingled oil cargo tax uncertainty in Parliament

Malaysia / 2mth

Speaker informs EC of Subang parliamentary seat vacancy

Malaysia / 2mth

Tabung Haji RCI report takes centre stage at special Dewan sitting tomorrow

Malaysia / 2mth

No discussions yet regarding general election – Zahid

Malaysia / 3mth

BNPL users hit eight million as outstanding balances reach RM5.3b

Malaysia / 3mth

Speaker reminds MPs not to skip parliamentary sessions

Spotlight

World

Kim Jong Un appears in state media photos after unverified death rumours

Malaysia

Anwar challenges Rafizi over corporate crime, asks why he stayed silent as minister

Malaysia

AKPS chief Mohd Shuhaily to be charged over alleged assault on two policemen

Malaysia

Year One pupil dies after breathing difficulties in Dengkil classroom

Malaysia

College student remanded for three days over alleged rape of underage girl

Sports & Fitness

Lee Zii Jia settles dispute with father, sister over company affairs

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Online scam call centres: Police detain 31 people targeting foreign victims in Pahang crackdown

Malaysia

Guan Eng proposes RM1,000 tax rebate for purchase of air purifiers

By Ian McIntyre

You may be interested

Malaysia

Malaysia must win trust of both sides to move Southern Thailand peace process forward

Malaysia

Families of 54 missing Malaysians seek official confirmation, government aid

Malaysia

Police record statements from 15 in RM231m MYEG-Zetrix probe

Malaysia

Oil volatility keeps Malaysia’s fuel costs in focus as ringgit edges higher

Malaysia

Sarawak deputy premier warns of increasing threats of vaping

Malaysia

PN faces deregistration after RoS rejects its appeal to retain status

Malaysia

Anwar responds to young Ammar’s plea for prayers ahead of surgery

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Papagomo acquitted for second time in sedition case over government, Israel claims