PETALING JAYA: The sale of second-hand clothes is rather common and an accepted practice but used women’s underwear, anyone?
Such items are now being pushed on e-commerce platforms, as checks confirmed by just keying in the words “used underwear” or “used undergarments”.
It was reported last week that an online shop was selling panties and pantyhose marketed as undergarments with the “original scent” of a woman or female college student.
It was stated that the shop even uploaded photos of the supposed owners of the items, but with their faces blurred out.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) said the sale of items like used panties and pantyhoses was taking things too far.
Its chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said the open sale of such intimate clothing was ethically questionable, especially when the listings carried explicit terms.
“While selling second-hand goods is not new, marketplace platforms must differentiate between general apparel and undergarments, and draw clear boundaries around what is acceptable,” she said.
Nur Asyikin said the trading of worn underwear “crossed the line”, raising questions on legality, consent and consumer safety.
She said Fomca wanted platforms selling used items to implement strict filters, category restrictions or outright bans on the sale of used underwear.
“Clear community guidelines and proactive AI-driven detection are necessary to prevent inappropriate listings from slipping through,” she said.
Nur Asyikin suggested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry step in to set clearer legal standards to draw the boundary for online sales.
Meanwhile, health expert Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said second hand clothing can harbour pathogens from the previous owner’s skin microbiome if not properly washed.
“The pathogens can survive for varying durations, depending on the type of pathogen and fabric.
“Washing these items at high temperatures can reduce the pathogens,” said Dr Sharifa, who is with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
She said the pathogens on clothing could include bacteria which can potentially cause skin and blood infections, or even gastrointestinal illnesses.
“Fungi may also be present, causing ringworm and other skin infections. In some cases, faecal contamination can lead to the presence of helminths like pinworms or their eggs, which can survive for weeks on fabrics.”
