Striking outfit: Saifuddin addressing Parliament yesterday. — Bernama
THERE was a light-moment in Parliament when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “advised” Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to follow Parliament’s dress code of wearing lounge suits from Mondays to Wednesdays.
Saifuddin was seen donning a purple long-sleeved batik in Parliament yesterday despite the rule that says batik is to be worn on Thursdays.
“I want to remind the Home Minister to follow Parliament’s dress code,” said Anwar with a smile.
Earlier, Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) pointed out that Saifuddin was wearing batik during Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT).
“Before I raise my question, I want to ask about the Parliament dress code. Are we allowed to wear batik on Wednesdays? Because I see that the Home Minister is wearing batik today,” said Rosol.
Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who was chairing the session, told Rosol to raise his question to Anwar first.
“I will comment in a while,” said Johari briefly.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) also spoke about the light moment in a Facebook post yesterday.
“Interesting time at the Dewan Rakyat this morning when the Opposition asked why the Home Minister wore batik during the PMQT session as today is not Thursday.
“The Prime Minister then ‘advised’ the Home Minister to follow rules,” said Dr Wee in the post.
Batik is allowed on Thursdays when Parliament sits, though it is not compulsory for MPs to wear them.
On regular Parliament sitting dates, male MPs are encouraged to wear a lounge suit without a necktie.
