‘SEXY’ AIRLINE UNIFORMS COME UNDER SCRUTINY

Outfits too revealing and attracting unwanted attention, says senator

THE female crew uniform of some Malaysian airlines came under scrutiny in the Dewan Negara yesterday. The iconic all-red attire of AirAsia’s flight attendants, as well as the snappy orange Firefly uniforms, were deemed “too revealing” by Senator Datuk Abdullah Mat Yasim.

Abdullah opined that the “eyecatching outfits” did not reflect the status of Islam as the official religion of the federation as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) must look into this,” he said when debating the Mavcom (Amendment) Bill 2017.

Abdullah said the uniforms were not only revealing, but could attract unwanted attention, especially from young people.

Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who is also general-secretary of the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka), agreed with Abdullah.

He suggested changes to the uniforms’ design.

“My wife is worried whenever I fly alone on Malindo or AirAsia.

“This is a real hassle for me,” he said, drawing laughter from other senators.

In reply, Abdullah said the uniform of flight attendants in Malindo Air was still acceptable.

He said the Malindo female uniform were also body hugging, but at least “sensitive areas” were covered up.

Dewan Negara deputy president Senator Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Abd Samad praised Abdullah, who is also the Rantau Panjang Umno division head, for highlighting an interesting subject.

“This is a good topic that many people can relate to as they always take flights,” he said.

This makes it the second time in two weeks that flight attendant uniforms had taken centre stage in the Dewan Negara.

Last week, Senator Datuk Hanafi Mamat said they should wear syariah-compliant uniforms.

The Kelantan Umno secretary said tourists would be given the wrong impression of the country if they dressed sexily.