YOURSAY ‘Why must we all get so uptight with one another’s dressing?’
DAP rep donning Malay costume sparks debate
David Dass: Good for you (Kampung Tunku assembly representative) Lau Weng San. And shame on you (DAP's Social Democracy Academy senior lecturer) Hew Kuan Yau.
The Malays are not insisting that non-Malays should wear baju Melayu. Lau's wearing of Malay dress is purely voluntary - to show respect and to endear himself to his Malay constituents.
There used to be an issue with the songkok because the songkok was associated with Islam. But that issue has gone away and non-Malay civil servants, High Court judges and ambassadors happily wear the songkok.
These DAP leaders are so out of touch with the reality of things. They are unbelievably petty. I would have understood their objection if the government forced non-Malays to wear Malay dress. But that it is not the case here.
Today all cultures influence fashion. Whether it is fabric, colours or style. We live in a globalised world. And if we think about it - we wear trousers and shirts, jackets and ties and dresses. Is this Chinese, Indian, Malay?
Stay focus on the big issues and as they say, do not sweat the small stuff. Grow up Hew and (DAP Kota Melaka MP) Sim Tong Him.
Jiminy Qrikert: Those who criticise Lau for his Malay dressing choose to ignore the fact that there was a time in recent history when Chinese communities adopted the language, dressing and even cuisine wholesale from the Malays.
And yet they remained very much Chinese in their own ways, retaining their religion of birth and many aspects of their Chinese cuisine even as they assimilated Malay cooking styles and food to create their very own unique cuisine. These are the Nyonya and the Babas.
Sadly, they are fast disappearing. DAP members of Penang and Malacca should be the first to stand with Lau on this subject.
MingXiang: Remember the sarong kebaya? It was widely worn by Chinese ladies and I don't mean the Nyonyas.
My mother was a Nyonya and wore the sarong kebaya almost throughout her life after her teen years. It is either an Indonesian or a Malay dress but nobody gave a damn who wore them.
So what's this fuss all about. I myself wear a sarong to sleep and is that Chinese attire?
The Shrimp Warrior: Hew is a Chinese chauvinist. We should all reach out, cross boundaries and celebrate 'the other'. That, saudara-saudari, is our only salvation as a diverse society.
J Ng: Racial harmony depends on understanding and acceptance of other cultures and practices.
Donning of the costume of other races is definitely a good start to promote such harmony. Anyone condemning such is definitely being racist.
DAP lost of some Chinese support has nothing to do with the party per se. Rather, it is caused by the various stupid moves by PAS’ and PKR’s internal bickering.
Anonymous_1371482984: My confidence in DAP is slowly waning. Fancy making an issue of how a person dresses. What narrow-minded leaders.
Thank goodness ‘Superman’ Hew was not selected as the candidate in the recent Teluk Intan by-election. Why are the other DAP leaders keeping silent? Do they agree with Hew?
If silence is not agreement, then don't accuse PM Najib Razak for his elegant silence when dealing with Perkasa and Isma.
Anonymous_1399517796: Look, your skin colour/race doesn't change no matter what you wear. I wore a kimono for my wedding, did I turn into a Japanese? I wore a Spanish gown for the wedding photography, did I become a Spaniard?
Lim Choon Yang: Many non-Malay ladies wear the baju kurung to work on Fridays and I think they look awesome.
If another Indian lady wears her sari and a Chinese wears her cheongsam, the whole office will be a much pleasant place to work in.
Why must we all get so uptight with one another’s dressing? We should appreciate the rich cultures that we have.
Malaccan: For a party that is proud of its Malaysian identity, it should not be wrong or questionable to don the dress of a different race. It should be encouraged and lauded.
As pointed out, ladies of all races can happily dress in one anothers' costumes practically everyday. In Malacca, Peranakan ladies (Nyonyas and Chitty) wear Malay ethnic dresses, while men wear sarong in the comfort of their homes. It is a matter of practicality and choice.
Assimilation is not wrong, unless it is forced. Different races can celebrate one another's culture and dress as happily as we do with food. Wearing a baju Melayu will not turn a Chinese into a Malay or vice versa, as drinking holy water will not turn a Muslim into a Christian.
These are just twisted ideas bombarded into all our minds by BN. Unfortunately every race has its ethnic puritans who feel threatened by those willing to cross the aisle. DAP is not losing its Chinese support as much as it has gained a fully Malaysian identity.
Anonymous #44199885: Hew should show some maturity. Making an issue out of a non-issue is a disservice and in fact in this context downright racist.
Why should Lau not be permitted to wear the Malay traditional dress or for that matter any other traditional dress?
There is nothing wrong in a Malaysian wearing any other race's traditional costume. Hew and his ilk are better off making constructive comments on important policies relating to the people and country rather than seeking to regulate a DAP elected rep's dress code.
Quigonbond: There is nothing more muhibbah in Malaysia than one race donning cultural costumes of another race. Don't turn this into a religious/racial issue.
Dood: Indeed, why is this even an issue? Let the man wear whatever he wants, people.
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