PUTRAJAYA: The policy to not make the use of neckties compulsory for government events and engagements intends to send an important message which goes beyond just the aspect of style, says Anthony Loke (pic).
"This sends a message not only in terms of style but a message that we are less formal, easily approachable, and that we hope will strengthen the bond among us and the people as well as colleagues," the Transport Minister said during his keynote address at his ministry on Friday (Feb 3).
"That is the approach and image the Prime Minister is trying to bring," he added.
He hoped that this would ensure better productivity and create strong cooperation.
Loke was commenting on The Star’s report on Feb 3 that members of Parliament would no longer be required to wear ties while in the Dewan Rakyat for a year from Feb 13.
"I will announce on Feb 13, the first day of the session, no tie for the whole year," Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul told The Star when contacted.
During the two-day special sitting on Dec 19, 2022, Johari made it optional for MPs to wear neckties during the next day’s sitting.
For the first time, many MPs, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, did not wear a necktie during the Dec 20 meeting.
Members of the press covering Parliament also ditched their ties that day.
MPs in Singapore did away with ties in Parliament more than a decade ago, while MPs in the British Parliament stopped wearing ties in the House of Commons in 2017.
