By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 20: Many parliamentarians attending the Dewan Rakyat today were seen necktie-free after the newly appointed Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul announced the option of not wearing a necktie if wears ng a suit, before adjourning yesterday’s sitting.
Among the MPs who went with the option include Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputies Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof.
However, most of the opposition members kept their neckties on.
At the end of the Dewan Rakyat sitting session today, Ipoh Barat MP Kulasegaran V Murugeson described the matter as a good idea and requested for the Speaker to continue the ‘no necktie’ option for the future sittings.
However, Arau MP Dato Seri Shahidan Kassim said that few countries have adopted the ‘no necktie’ practice in Parliament, citing Israel and Singapore as examples, while other countries still retain the formal wear requirement including neckties.
“Speaker and us (opposition MPs) are apple-tie order. The other group, I don’t know.
“Thus, I hope the Speaker can do a comparison first before we can introduce this option in the Dewan,” he said.
Following this, Johari replied: “Insya-Allah (God willing).”
Yesterday, Johari said he had received suggestions from several members of the august House concerning the exemption of wearing a necktie to the sitting.
“Those who wish to wear a suit, I exempt them from wearing a necktie. Hence, you can come in baju Melayu or a suit without a necktie—it is an option,” he said. — DayakDaily
