The Selangor state government had retracted its previous decision to impose a standard controversial ceremonial attire for all Klang Municipal Council (MPK) members.

Selangor exco for Local Government, Housing and Squatters, and Environment Mokhtar Dahlan (right) today told malaysiakini that the state has decided to exempt non-Malay members of the council from donning the baju melayu/songkok and baju kurung as a ceremonial attire.

However, he said that the Malay councillors remain bound by the directive issued by the local council.

This move is a departure from the stand taken by Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo yesterday who had said that the state government fully supported the MPK on the attire issue.

He advised the council members not to make an issue of the matter, especially now that the costumes were already made and they should be worn at the full council meeting on July 27.

Khir also told the dissenting councillors to adhere to the decision made by the majority in the local council who had agreed to don the new attire.

Cultural sensitivities

The whole fuss arose when a group of non-Malay councillors - representatives of Barisan Nasional partners, MCA, MIC and Gerakan - had objected the new attire on the basis of cultural sensitivities.

Khir (left) had also instructed Mokhtar and another state exco, MCA's Ch'ng Toh Eng, to meet the councillors to explain the state decision.

However as it turned out, after the meeting, the decision was overturned.

"I met all the councillors yesterday. After listening to their feelings and gauging the public's views, I felt they should be given the option to decide," Mokhtar said when contacted.

"They can decide to wear whenever they are ready to."

Nevertheless, he said, the state will continue encouraging all councillors to wear the attire but "at the end of the day, it's up to them".

Mohktar said the issue had struck a raw nerve among the people as they appeared to fear the religious connotation attached with the Malay attire.

The baju melayu/baju kurung is the country's national costume but it is commonly worn by Malay men and women - both young and old - to school and to work.

Mace only RM100,000

MPK's decision, which has reportedly spent RM100,000 for the new attire and another RM400,000 for a special mace for ceremonial functions, has come under sever criticisms in the recent days.

The attire was for 24 councillors and 12 heads of departments, council president and a staff who will carry the mace.

However, Khir yesterday gave a detail account of the ratepayers fund utilised for these purposes.

He clarified that the attire cost RM540 per set and includes a baju melayu (RM195), a sampin (RM290) and a songkok (RM55).

He also said that the mace costed only RM100,000.

Khir added that the changes were in line with the state's vision to confer Klang with the Royal City status.

It was also reported that the council has spent RM250,000 to form a new horse unit, including building a covered paddock and a stable for 15 horses.

The unit, which got its thoroughbreds from Australia and Britain, is to conduct crime prevention patrol in the municipality, especially in housing areas and narrow backlanes.

The protesting councillors were unavailable for comments.