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BANGI – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is under fire for its now-deleted dress code that prohibited the wearing of the cheongsam and saree, which are deemed unsuitable for its convocation ceremonies.
On a now-deleted page of UKM’s official portal, an illustration of the university’s convocation dress code showed that the acceptable attire were mostly traditional Malay clothing, including baju Melayu, baju kurung, and baju kebaya.
Graduates can otherwise opt for suit-and-tie for men, and blouses with ankle-length dark skirts for women.
The illustration added that graduates and guests who fail to adhere to the dress code will be denied entry to the ceremonies.
The dress code has caught the attention of many Malaysians, and a Twitter user known as Anne James took to the social media platform to criticise the university, saying that as an educational institution, UKM should not have “supremacist” policies.
UKM is this true? Why are you, a university, practising supremacist policies? Please STOP ✋ pic.twitter.com/VrkAjFXGpA
— Anne James 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴 (@annejames44) October 30, 2022
The tweet prompted debate among netizens on the issue.
Most agreed that it was reasonable for the dress code to stipulate casual attire – such as shorts, t-shirts, and open-toed footwear – as being inappropriate for a formal event.
However, some disapproved of not allowing Chinese and Indian graduates to don their traditional outfits, noting the double standard the university adopted by allowing Western formal wear.
“We are a multiracial, multinational country. Our dress code should reflect that,” said Twitter user Susila Jeyaratnam.
We are a multiracial multicultural country. Our dress code should reflect that.
— Susila Jeyaratnam (@susila_j) October 30, 2022
“Why are sarees and cheongsams considered inappropriate?” questioned Twitter user @/RoaringAwayz.
“It’s a traditional dress just like a kurung or kebaya. Are you saying your non-Malay graduates and their family are lesser than their Malay cohorts?”
@kmukm2020 @demokrat_UKM Why are sarees and cheongsam considered inappropriate? It's a traditional dress just like a kurung or kebaya. Are you saying your non-Malay graduates and their family are lesser than their Malay cohorts?
— Leopard Lady (@RoaringAwayz) October 30, 2022
Other netizens speculated that the rationale behind the university’s dress code was to avoid excessively showing skin and not prohibiting certain traditional wear, but the message was not properly conveyed.
“This is for a graduation ceremony, not normal classes. They are being strict about not showing forearms for both males and females,” said Twitter user @amrisolarstreak.
He also agreed that the illustration gave the impression of racial bias, and that UKM should reconsider the way it delivers its message by updating the illustration.
This is for graduation ceremony, not attending normal classes. & they are being strict about no showing forearm for both male and female
— Amri (@amrisolarstreak) October 30, 2022
The poster does seems to contain racial bias, I agree,& in this era that everyone can easily be offended by everything, they need to update it
“If you look at the illustration, the slit on the cheongsam goes to the hip. The same rule applies to the kebaya as well,” said Twitter user @_alianatasyah.
“The saree (in the illustration) is sleeveless and exposes the torso. It’s not that they’re prohibited, but it is a formal assembly.”
Kalau tgk gambar cheongsam tu belah sampai paras punggung. Keadaan yg sama kalau pakai kebaya yg kainnya terbelah. Saree tu pula keadaan sari tanpa lengan dan mendedahkan sebahagian perut. Bukan tak bg tapi ni majlis formal.
— Alia Natasya (@_alianatasyah) October 30, 2022
For graduates and guests who still wish to wear traditional clothes, netizens suggested that they can go for more modest versions, such as the hanfu and kurti. – The Vibes, October 30, 2022