MoCS Backs DAP Reps On Ceremonial Garb

Joseph Tawie
It's disturbing that BN politicians are turning it into a religious issue when it was a non-issue from the start, says its chief Francis .

KUCHING: Movement for change, Sarawak (MoCS) has criticised Barisan Nasional politicians for turning the ‘ceremonial attire” issue into a religious issue.

MoCS leader Francis Siah said that since DUN (state assembly) members have been given an option to don the ceremonial attire, it is a non-issue.

“DAP elected representatives have the right not to wear it if they so wish. MoCS supports their decision to forgo the dress code,” he said.

“MoCS finds it disturbing that certain BN politicians are turning it into a religious issue when it was a non-issue from the start.

“It seems to be a trend of the Sarawak government in recent years to splash on unnecessary ‘bunga bunga’ items.

“Sarawak has become a very ‘showy’ state, wasting public funds just to make some people feel good about themselves or to enable them to show off,” said Siah.

“Is the ceremonial attire for elected reps a ‘want’ or a ‘need’,” Siah asked, pointing out that before it was introduced, DUN members served just as well in their normal suits.

He said that even the American President, the most powerful political leader in the world, does not need ceremonial attire.

“So too, the British Prime Minister. The United States and Britain also have rich cultures and traditions.

“The difference between them, and us in Sarawak, is that they do not waste tax payers’ money on ceremonies and dress codes to show off, while we seem to relish in doing so.

“The ceremonial attire for a DUN member is said to cost about RM4,000. That amount is enough to purchase school uniforms for 200 primary school children.

“MoCS also asks the state sovernment to stop introducing new awards on the occasion of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s birthday.

“The state has more than enough of such awards to cause others to label Sarawakians as ‘orang orang gila pangkat’, said Siah.

“The more such awards are dished out, the more it would cost the state. The government has to tighten its belt on ‘bunga bunga’ events in the interests of the people,” he added.

Meanwhile, a leader of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) accused DAP assemblymen of not respecting the constitution and the Head of State for refusing to wear the official garb.

“The wearing of the ceremonial attire is a gesture of respect to the constitution and to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak,” said PBB deputy president Abang Johari Openg.

Both Abang Johari and the Speaker of the Assembly Asfia Awang Nassar explained that songkok itself does not have any religious connotation.

“It is wrong to think that a songkok shows your religion. Wearing it does not signify that a person is a Muslim,” said Asfia.

- Free Malaysia Today

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