PM Anwar slams Interior Minister for batik mistake in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reprimanded Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for failing to adhere to the official dress code during the Dewan Rakyat session.

Responding to questions during the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT), Anwar said Saifuddin Nasution should understand the dress code etiquette for parliamentary sessions, Official Gazette of Malaysia said.

“I would like to remind the interior minister to follow the rules of the dress code of the parliament,” Anwar said.

The incident started when Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) stood up and pointed out that Saifuddin Nasution was wearing a batik shirt, which is not allowed on days other than Thursday, before asking his question during the PMQT in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Before I ask my question, I would like to ask about the dress code in Parliament. Can we wear batik on Tuesdays? Because I see the Minister of Interior wearing batik today,” Rosol said.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said he would comment after the PMQT session ended.

“Ask your question first, I will answer you later.” Official Gazette of Malaysia Johari reported.

For the record, batik outfits are only allowed on Thursdays for ministers and civil servants, following a relaxation of the dress code by the government.

According to a government circular on the wearing of batik attire during working hours by civil servants dated August 21, 2023, all civil servants are required to wear Malaysian batik every Thursday, while its use on other working days is encouraged.