Girls’ school uniforms are not sexy: Malay minister

Malaysia's education minister has dismissed complaints by an Islamic group that uniforms of schoolgirls are too sexy and invite rape.

Malaysia’s education minister has dismissed complaints by an Islamic group that uniforms of schoolgirls are too sexy and invite rape, an official said Monday.

Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said over the weekend his ministry was unlikely to change the school uniforms, which he does not consider to be too sexy, but said officials would look into the matter.

“It is unfair to punish women and children and the clothes they wear for the act of rapists,” The Star daily quoted him as saying.

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“From what I have seen, clothing is not the main consideration of those who commit despicable acts.”

Hishammuddin’s aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol, confirmed the comment.

The uniform became an issue in the local media after a little known group, the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia, issued a statement last week, saying the loose, white blouse worn by schoolgirls was too transparent.

It said the blouse encouraged rape and premarital sex. The association, which claims to have some 1,500 members, said the uniforms should be reviewed to suit Islamic ideals.

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The uniform “disturbs the eyes of men, whether they like to see it or not … Because of that molestation, premarital sex and all kinds of other things occur,” it said.

The statement has made little impact in this liberal Muslim-majority nation despite being given prominence in the print media.

Some 60 per cent of Malaysia’s 27 million people are Muslims, who mostly dress conservatively. However, many women, including Muslims in urban areas, also wear short skirts and tight tops.