Stewardess Uniforms Draw Criticism For Being 'Too Revealing'

Malaysian lawmakers deemed some of the country's stewardess uniforms to be "too revealing," according to local news reports. The lawmakers proposed Monday that uniform changes should be a topic of discussion amongst the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM), an agency that manages matters related to civil aviation.

AirAsia and Firefly, in particular, came under fire by Malaysian lawmakers for its stewardess uniforms. The comments were made Monday at the Dewan Negara, the upper house of the Parliment of Malaysia. Lawmakers considered the two airlines' stewardess uniforms to be something that may arouse passengers.

The "eye-catching outfits" uniforms don't adequately reflect the identity of an Islamic nation, Malaysian lawmakers said. This led some to suggest that "the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) must really look into this," the Straits Times reported Tuesday.

"We are proud that Malaysia is an Islamic country with its own cultural identity," Senator Hanafi Mamat said, according to Channel News Asia. "When our flight stewardesses dress sexily and disrespectfully, this will give tourists who use the services of our national carriers the wrong impression."

"The time has come for the government to provide new uniform guidelines which will portray Malaysia as a Muslim country with strong Eastern values," Mamat added.

AirAsia's stewardess uniform is a collared white shirt underneath of a red, fitted jacket. It's also paired with a skirt that hits mid-thigh length and boasts a slit up the side. Firefly Airlines' stewardess uniform, however, is an orange dress that ends right above the near. It also features a slit up the side.

Senator Megat Zulkarnain Omardin agreed with the uniform redesign. He explained that his wife is worried about the outfits that are worn by stewardess' on Malindo and AirAsia, which he claimed was "a real hassle."

Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim claimed that Malindo's uniforms were still acceptable, according to New Strait Times. Malindo's uniform includes a buttoned white three-quarter length shirt that's paired with a non-revealing white tank top. It incorporates a purple patterned maxi skirt that boasts a slit.

This wouldn't be the first time the Malaysian Parliment has addressed its concerns over the revealing stewardess uniforms. Mamat suggested Dec. 12 that the government introduces a law that would make flight stewardess' uniforms fall in accordance with the Sharia Law, a religious law that cultivates part of the Islamic tradition.