Malaysia Airlines should keep the kebaya

 

From William Dennis

Having been a frequent traveller on Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB), I would like to say that the carrier’s flight stewardess uniform, the kebaya, should be maintained as it is modest enough.

I may not have responded to the airline’s survey asking if it should put a modest twist to the iconic kebaya or move away from it but I would like to say, change the colour by all means but the design of the kebaya should be maintained.

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The kebaya is iconic and synonymous with Malaysia Airlines’ brand and their stewardesses.

It has been the beautiful uniform of the airline’s flight stewardesses since Malaysian Airlines System started operations on Oct 1, 1972.

In fact, the kebaya was introduced in the late 1960s during the days of the then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines.

After the split, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and MAS were formed with each having its own uniform and network.

I believe I am not wrong in saying that SIA and MAS saw the beauty and elegance of the kebaya to keep it as the uniform for flight stewardesses.

I’m sure if the current kebaya had not been modest, MAB management would not have approved it.

The question of whether safety of air travel could be assured due to the “revealing” attire should not arise at all.

Having worked closely with the civil aviation industry in the Asia Pacific and, to a certain extent, Europe and the US for 31 years, I would like to say that air travel is safer than any other mode of transport.

The uniform of a flight stewardess of any airline has not been the cause of any untoward incident on board a flight.

People who travel should be viewed as respectable and dignified. They should look at the flight stewardess in her elegant uniform, not have negative thoughts about the uniform.

Each person is entitled to his or her opinion about the design of the uniform. To those who think the uniform is revealing, look the other way. - FMT

William Dennis is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.