UKM revises controversial dress code after public outcry

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has revised its dress code guideline which barred cheongsams and sarees following public outcry.

According to the new guideline on its website, the university now said graduates could wear national costumes (baju kebangsaan) without giving any specifics.

The guideline said female graduates must wear a national costume/baju kurung/lounge suit/long sleeved blouse and long skirt or dark-coloured trousers until the ankle.

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Male graduates must wear any form of national costume as long as it was befitting the protocols of a formal convocation ceremony.

Earlier, UKM came under fire from the public after it released a dress code guideline which banned saree and cheongsam at its convocation.

Activitist Siti Kassim joined the chorus of outcry on the earlier guideline, saying it was offensive for UKM to dictate which traditional clothes were acceptable or otherwise.

"This is too much. Speak up and rise people as we have to reject this kind of control in our lives," said Siti.

Social media users slammed the dress code, saying it perpetuates "supremacist policies".