KUALA LUMPUR: Round-neck, V-neck or collared blouse — what is the permissible dress code for female MPs, a frontbencher asked Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul on Wednesday (Aug 27).
The August House saw Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching standing up for her government colleague Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who was recently flagged by a male MP for not meeting dress code requirements.
Citing the Standing Orders, Teo said there was no mention of collared blouses or shirts in the Parliament regulations.
“The other day, there was a male MP who took issue with round-necks. Today, I am wearing a V-neck. So I want a ruling from the Speaker, because when I refer to the Standing Orders, it only mentions blouses. Collared or not, it is not an issue,” she said on Wednesday.
“But there are male MPs who are making an issue out of nothing when they have nothing substantial (to raise),” she said.
She then asked Johari to make a ruling whether collared outfits are mandatory and advise male lawmakers not to make such remarks.
“Don’t teach women how to dress,” she told male MPs.
Johari then noted that this was a rare occasion where a member of the executive raised such matters.
“This is a view of a feminist who felt that they…I do not want to say bullied…or rather they were disrespected. I want to advise that small matters like this should not arise when it is not against the Standing Orders,” said Johari.
On Monday(Aug 25), Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) questioned if Azalina’s outfit met the required dress code, noting that female lawmakers are expected to wear national dress, a long-sleeved blouse with a sarong or a knee-length skirt.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, who was winding up the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, was dressed in a red blazer with prints and a black top.
Seeking clarification from Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, Rosol asked whether Azalina’s “round-neck” top was appropriate.
“I don’t think there’s a problem,” Lau replied.
Azalina then responded, “My round-neck has a collar, maybe YB didn’t notice. I’ll show it after this,” drawing laughter across the House.
“That’s dangerous,” Rosol quipped in reply.
