KUALA LUMPUR: Among the most notable aspects of the historic swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet on Monday was… the headgear sported by new Human Resources Minister, M. Kulasegaran.
According to several portals including Says.com, the Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament's turban sparked curiosity and confusion among Malaysians who wondered why he was wearing it.
While the new Communications & Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo also wore a turban (of majestic proportions) during the august ceremony, netizens pointed out that he is a Punjabi Sikh, while Kulasegaran is a Tamil Hindu.
A chorus of netizens wondered why the DAP vice chairman did not opt for the all-purpose songkok for the official event.
Kulasegaran later responded to social media queries by explaining that he was, in fact, wearing traditional Tamil headgear.
An English language daily reported him as explaining that he was wearing a "thallapa," a turban traditionally worn by Tamil kings.
Kulasegaran also expressed his pride in wearing the thallapa, in recognition of his heritage.
"The last time I wore it was during my wedding. It is part of Tamil culture," he was quoted as saying by a news portal.
Though not a Tamil king, Kulasegaran is a Cabinet member of a new Malaysia, and has more than earned his right to wear the thallapa.