Another 'Important' thing to talk about...

Thursday July 10, 2008 MYT 3:30:47 PM

Skirt length becomes an issue in Parliament

By NG CHENG YEE

KUALA LUMPUR: The uproar among female journalists over the length of skirts was finally put to rest after Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abd Aziz gave the assurance that those who are decently dressed would be allowed in.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, who is in charge of Parliament affairs, also said security guards at the Parliament building had no right to decide on its visitors' dress code.

"As long as one does not wear their undergarments inside out, that's fine. Just don't come in in your underwear," he said Thursday at a press conference at the Parliament lobby. (That rules out Superman then...)

The dress code for press members became a controversy when several female reporters were warned by security personnel at the media entrance for being indecently dressed.

All these journalists were wearing skirts long enough to cover their knees, thereby complying with the rule set by the Parliament administration.

Mohamed Nazri said whether a person was decently dressed or not was determined by one's value and no one could impose their own values on others. (Right on Nazri...hope this is true of other issues as well...)

"MPs can write in their complaint to me in black and white if they see someone they think is indecently dressed and we will take action," he said.

However, he said, sometimes even MPs wear skirts which were not knee length.

"But if they (security guards) cannot control (MPs), then don't practise double standards. I don't allow double standards in the House," he said. (Waahhhh.....)

He said he would also inform security personnel at the Parliament building to focus on their job, which was to ensure safety in the House and not enforcing dress code on visitors. (Yep...)

Women, Family and Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said skirts that were knee length was considered decent.

"You (reporters) definitely know what is decent dressing and what is not.

"The guards are not supposed to take up the role of jaga pintu (door keepers) of decent dressing.

"Security guards should make sure no one brings in bombs or guns," she said.

For guys with long hair, she said, they could tie up their hair and ensure that they looked tidy and clean.

"I believe those who come to Parliament will know how to respect Parliament.

"I have trust in the rakyat and those who come to Parliament will not dress indecently just to challenge the dress code," she said.

Earlier, both M. Kulasegaran (DAP - Ipoh Barat) and Teresa Kok (DAP - Seputeh) had tried to raise the issue of dresscode in the House but it was dismissed by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee.

"This is a matter that is taking place outside of the Dewan," he said and called on Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin to continue with his reply despite protests from both MPs.

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Actually I've never seen reporters better dressed than at Parliament. But it's quite interesting seeing the other people there. Some look like they're dressed to attend a party. Which maybe they are...