Don't look, Loke tells PAS MPs offended by flight attendants' uniforms

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 1 Aug 2018 7:08PM · 8 Comments

Transport Minister Anthony Loke says local airlines are free to choose the uniforms of their flight attendants. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 1, 2018.

IF it offends you, then don’t look.

This was Anthony Loke’s message to PAS lawmakers who complained about the “revealing” uniforms worn by flight attendants with local airlines.

The transport minister, answering a question by Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) on shariah-compliant uniforms for flight attendants, said airlines must comply with safety standards, including those for emergency evacuation, set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and International Civil Aviation Organisation.

He said the standards require flight attendants to don uniforms that allow them to carry out safety-related duties.

“Airline companies are free to choose the uniforms, as long as flight attendants can conduct their duties during, say, emergency evacuations.

“The choice of uniforms is the commercial decision of the respective companies, according to their corporate image.”

He cited the kebaya uniforms worn by Malaysia Airlines Bhd flight attendants, saying they reflect the national carrier’s “Malaysian Hospitality” identity and Malaysian culture.

Loke added that the ministry does not object to Muslim flight attendants wearing shariah-compliant uniforms, so long as they meet CAAM criteria.

Siti Zailah, unsatisfied with the minister’s reply, said she has heard the same answer many times.

“Are short skirts that ‘menjolok mata’ (revealing) for safety?”

Loke said there are no plans to change the existing policy.

Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (PAS-Kuala Nerus) then asked if MAS could at least have Muslim women flight attendants wear the headscarf.

“I will take it up with the airline. We have to ask the management,” said Loke.

Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Tumpat) said the flight attendant uniforms of Malaysian airlines are more revealing than some foreign carriers’.

He said there are US airlines whose flight attendants wear pants, which are not “sexy”.

“I have no comment. If it’s ‘menjolok mata’, then don’t look. It’s a subjective matter,” said Loke.

His remarks drew protests from PAS lawmakers, who demanded that he answer more responsibly.

However, Loke refused to continue speaking on the subject.

“As I have said, I will talk to Malaysia Airlines Bhd.” – August 1, 2018.

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Comments

  • True what, if it's too "sexy" and causes you to get excited, don't look then.

    Posted 7 years ago by Gerald Lau · Reply

  • If PAS really has a problem with "menjolok mata", they could always get rid of the problem mata, use another airline or transport. Why so hypocritical?

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Just shows the kinds of issues their focused on.

    Posted 7 years ago by Azlan Romly · Reply

  • Better still, PAS MPs should ride camels and thats what Prophet Muhammad did. Why bother with planes and offended by the uniform of the air crews?

    Posted 7 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • If stewardess are "menjolok mata", then go fly on cargo plane .

    Posted 7 years ago by TC BOY · Reply

  • This is one petty issue raise up again and again and again and again by PAS. It shows that they don't even have control on themselves and need a policy to control them on what they see. So better for them to go live in a cave or just walk to their own destination and not boarding any planes.

    Posted 7 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply

  • Don't look, and also you can "desensitize" the eyes by regular practice or by insight meditation where you turn the mind inwards to experience beauty, and not see the dirty outside. OR see the sights but don't look so closely. Old Malaysia already running around with much to see. With New Malaysia there should be more to come..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Failing to exercise control over one's own mind, one resorts to control others instead. This is clearly the doing of a weakling.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply