Loke tells PAS MPs to ‘look away’ from female flight crew

PARLIAMENT | Transport Minister Anthony Loke told PAS lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat today to look away from female flight attendants if they think their uniforms are too sexy.

This came after several PAS lawmakers criticised the female flight attendants of local airlines for wearing outfits that were too sexy and too revealing (menjolok mata).

"I cannot comment, this is subjective. However, if Yang Berhormat feels that (their outfits) are revealing, then look away," Loke said during the winding-up debate on the royal decree.

Loke was responding to Che Abdullah Mat Nawi (PAS-Tumpat), who said he found the uniforms of local airlines’ female flight attendants to be sexier than those working for other international airlines.

"If we look at the uniform of local flight attendants, (it’s) too revealing, compared with their counterparts from the West.

"Those from the United States, we see them wearing pants, compared with the sexy attire worn by the (flight attendants of) airlines operating in Malaysia," said Che Abdullah.

Loke's answer courted laughter from the other lawmakers in the House, but Che Abdullah was unamused.

"I feel that the minister should be more responsible in his reply," said Che Abdullah.  

"I answered with responsibility," replied Loke, who then moved on to another topic. 

No change in policy

Earlier, Loke said the government has no plan to change the existing policy related to the flight attendants' attire.

Their attire, he said, has to comply with safety criteria and allow them to perform emergency evacuations from aircraft. He also pointed out that each airline chooses its own uniforms which fits their corporate image and the identity of the country. 

The Transport Ministry, he added, also has no issue with Muslim flight attendants who dress in syariah-compliant attire.

Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang) appeared to be unhappy with the minister's answer, however.

"This is the same answer I heard in my tenure as three-term MP and two-term senator, (the ministers) are just repeating themselves and not making any changes," she said. 

"Can the revealing short skirt they wear ensure safety? I demand an answer,"  she said. 

Loke replied: "We realise there is nothing new in the answer as this is not a new policy. And we have no plan to change the existing policy." 

Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali (PAS-Kuala Nerus) then asked if the minister would encourage airlines to have  Muslim flight attendants wear headscarves.

Loke said he would discuss the matter with the management of flight operators. - Mkini