Athletes’ attire to be reviewed after complaints over gymnast’s leotard, says minister

Tonight a minister says attire for athletes will be reviewed after criticism was hurled at gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi. – Reuters filepic, June 15, 2015.

The government will review sports attire for athletes following complaints about a gymnast's leotard during the recent South East Asian Games (Sea Games) in Singapore, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said today.

Gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi's gold medal win was overshadowed when a photo of her on a news organisation's Facebook page drew criticism from some social media users who complained that she was exposing her "aurat".

Jamil Khir told Dewan Rakyat tonight that issues that could "shame and taint" Islam must be given serious attention.

"We take attention of this matter so that this becomes a lesson, in whichever field, including sports, for us to look into the clothing and attire," he said while wrapping up the debate for the religious affairs department for the 11th Malaysia Plan today.

He was responding to a question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) who asked if the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) have issued regulations on clothing for athletes that the Youth and Sports Ministry can implement.

"Not only in sports, but in all areas, Islam does not deny the responsibility of closing the aurat be it for men or women. This is something that cannot be denied or challenged, because this is the view of Islam."

Social media users were divided over Farah Ann's purple leotard, with many criticising those with narrow views of women in sports attire coming to the athlete's defence.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also defended the gymnast, telling those critical of her leotard to stop judging her.

Farah Ann herself shrugged off her critics, with a tweet saying "Empty cans make the most noise".

The PAS MP who raised this matter, Siti Zailah, has previously attracted controversy when she asked the government to impose dress codes on women to curb sexual crimes.

- TMI