A riot of colours may soon dispel the darkness in Parliament should the government get MPs to don batik shirts instead of the current black suits once a week.

The suggestion was made by Mohd Razali Che Mamat (BN-Kuala Krai) during the oral question session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said parliamentarians should wear batik every Thursday, the last day of session in the week, to support the local industry.

His suggestion was welcomed by Culture, Arts and Heritage Deputy Minister Wong Kam Hoong.

"I think this is a timely suggestion. In fact, I am wearing a batik tie now," said the deputy minister while holding up the green and orange tie.

Changes to the attire rule

Met at the Parliament lobby later, Wong said his ministry will look into the suggestion and ways to implement it.

"It is a good suggestion. But we will have to make changes to the attire rules of the Parliament because at present, we are only allowed to wear suits or baju melayu," he added.

However, he does not expect any hitches should the government accept the proposal and make the changes.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had previously encouraged civil servants to wear batik and subsequently the cabinet had made it compulsory for all civil servants to wear it on Saturdays.

Commenting on this, Wong said since the new five-day week working system has been adopted for civil servants, the cabinet will issue a ne directive for batik to be worn on an alternative day.