UKM Removes Dress Code Disallowing Cheongsams and Saris After Drawing Flak on Social Media

Yesterday, a Twitter user drew attention to a poster of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) dress code for its upcoming 50th convocation ceremony. While traditional attire typically worn by Malay women such as baju kurung and kebaya were permitted, those worn by Chinese and Indian women –– cheongsam and saris –– were expressly included in the poster as garments that guests were banned from wearing.

UKM is this true? Why are you, a university, practising supremacist policies? Please STOP ✋ pic.twitter.com/VrkAjFXGpA
— Anne James ?????? (@annejames44) October 30, 2022

According to the poster, graduands and guests who were not properly attired would not be permitted to enter the hall.

This drew the ire of the online community, which many said pointed to a lack of inclusivity. One mentioned that everything was being labelled as ‘supremacist’ nowadays, while another retorted the dress code was “racist” and that they would view the matter differently if their own traditional attire was banned at events.

It’s racist. Would you like us to say your traditional costume is a no-no at events?
— Paul PaKat (@psunster) October 30, 2022

Another user tagged Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad in the post and asked her to explain this dress code restriction on behalf of the senate as “universities are supposed to have an open mind on customary practices of other communities and citizens of the nation.”

@DrNorainiAhmad Universities are supposed to have open mind eap on customary practices of other communities and citizens of the nation. Being a publicly funded Uni, can the SENATE explain these dress code restrictions on Sarees?
— Maniam (@ManiamMKM) October 30, 2022

Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim who is known to be outspoken on such issues has also commented on the matter, through a video posted on her TikTok and Facebook pages. "I really take offence to this because what makes them think they can dictate to us on what clothes we can use, especially our traditional clothes. Hey UKM, who do you think you are? Come on, politicians, speak out on this." 

Politician Tan Keng Liang also commented on the matter, saying that this type of dress code is seen in many places, but members of Parliament (MPs) do not speak up about it.

I think Batu candidate @sitikasim made a good point on the dress code of UKM …would like to see her enters Parliament and make the same remarks against Parliament dress code. This kind of dress code issue is actually everywhere BUT many MPs are silent about it https://t.co/KTYAhlz5lG
— Tan Keng Liang (@tankengliang) October 31, 2022

The poster has since been taken down on their official website, but the university has yet to officially comment on this matter.

Image credit: @annejames44, facebook.com/sitikasim