Malaysian school uniforms for girls not sexy, says education minister
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia's education minister has dismissed complaints by an Islamic group that uniforms of schoolgirls are too sexy and invite rape, an official said Monday.
Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said over the weekend his ministry was unlikely to change the school uniforms, which he does not consider to be too sexy, but said officials would look into the matter.
"It is unfair to punish women and children and the clothes they wear for the act of rapists," The Star daily quoted him as saying. "From what I have seen, clothing is not the main consideration of those who commit despicable acts."
Hishammuddin's aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol, confirmed the comment.
The uniform became an issue in the local media after a little known group, the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia, issued a statement last week, saying the loose, white blouse worn by schoolgirls was too transparent.
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It said the blouse encouraged rape and premarital sex. The association, which claims to have some 5,000 members, said the uniforms should be reviewed to suit Islamic ideals.
The uniform "disturbs the eyes of men, whether they like to see it or not ... Because of that molestation, premarital sex and all kinds of other things occur," it said.
The statement has made little impact in this liberal Muslim-majority nation despite being given prominence in the print media.
However the women's wing of the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party on Monday said the ministry should "pay serious attention to the suggestion."
"We can't ignore the fact that the material used to make these uniforms is too thin and it makes the girls look sexy especially when they are not wearing the head scarf, which can cover their chests," it said in a statement.
The stand reflects the views of the women's wing only, and the party will meet later Monday to decide on a common stand, said Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, a party official.
Some 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people are Muslims, who mostly dress conservatively. However, many women, including Muslims in urban areas, also wear short skirts and tight tops.