'Focus on the athlete, not the outfit'

PETALING JAYA: Former Wanita Umno chief, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (pix) has criticised the motive of individuals who lambasted Malaysian gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi for her "revealing outfit" in the 28th SEA Games in Singapore by questioning whether they watch sports to focus on the athlete's outfit and body shape rather than their performance.
In her column in Utusan Malaysia today, she said the public have choices in their lives, and they can choose not to watch anything which they considered improper for them.
"They have a choice. They don't have to see or watch anything which is considered as indecent in their personal opinion, or inappropriate
"In life, we will always face situations where we have to make a choice. The choices will require us to make certain considerations, to choose between several possibilities and which one is to be prioritised,"said the former minister.
Farah Ann, who won two gold, a silver and three bronze medals at the SEA Games has been on the receiving end of brickbats, with people condemning her outfit, rather than applauding her for her winning performances.
In her column, Rafidah also pointed out the recent uproar against a woman who was forced to wear a sarong upon entering the Road Transport Department (RTD) as she wore a short skirt deemed indecent according to the agency's dress code.
"The question is, since when could a department and an organisation determine their public's attire?"
She added that instead, the department should have the customer charters that should focus on other matters such as providing good services to their customers.
"The term 'civil servant' also means serving the public or society. It does not means that they can decide the public's dress code or they can be the public's boss," Rafidah said.
She also pointed out that Malaysians should help the country to achieve success and be rational-thinking citizens instead of creating obstacles and confusion in achieving it.