Ethnic Chinese and Indian television presenters do not have to wear the national dress, said a minister, after complaints some non-Muslim newscasters were forced to do so.

Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok said she had received complaints that non-ethnic-Malay presenters on a government television network were compelled to wear the national costume.

But Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin denied there was any such directive and said presenters wearing national dress were doing so of their own free will.

"There is no compulsion. The Chinese who read the news wearing the national costumes do it voluntarily and it is not a problem," he was quoted as saying in Bernama.

Malaysia's national costume is based on traditional attire for the country's ethnic-majority Malays, and consists of a modest ankle-length skirt under a long tunic for women. Men wear a loose shirt and pants.

Zainuddin said the claims were "slander", although he suggested presenters wear the costume weekly.

"I don't believe in coercion," he said. "Our way is by making compromise. If one cannot wear (the national costume) every day, wear it once a week."

Malaysia's population of nearly 27 million comprises some 60 percent Malays, with the rest made up of ethnic Chinese and Indians.