KUCHING: The Ministry of Higher Education should establish a clear policy that allows university students, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, to wear their traditional attire during their graduation ceremonies.
Bandar Kuching MP, Dr. Kelvin Yii, said these traditional outfits should comply with modesty requirements while celebrating the diverse cultures and traditions of Malaysians.
Dr. Yii’s response came after a reported incident where graduates at a local university were prohibited from wearing their traditional Kadazan Dusun and Bidayuh attire during their convocation. These students were compelled to change into formal attire halfway through the ceremony and were even subjected to fines.
“Given that we are currently in the festive season of Kaamatan and Gawai, it would have been a wonderful opportunity for graduates to showcase their cultures and take pride in their heritage on their university convocation,” Dr. Yii said in a statement today (June 4).
He also said that the universities should also empower their students to embrace and honour their unique traditions and cultures, regardless of their origins.
