KUALA LUMPUR: A Historian has countered claims by the Johor crown prince that only members of the royalty were allowed to wear black pants in the state, saying that there is no such convention in this day and age.
Professor Emeritus Dr Ahmat Adam said everyone had the freedom to wear anything, including black pants.
“Nobody, not even those who claim to be feudal lords, can dictate how people should dress. This is a free and democratic nation. No one in this modern era wants to be enslaved, whether physically or mentally.”
Meanwhile, a posting on Facebook claimed that Kedah was the earliest state in the country to introduce the baju melayu paired with black pants.
“Kedah was the earliest to introduce baju melayu with black pants. The Kedah (royalty) is the oldest (in the country). However, this attire is only meant to be worn by the palace ceremonial staff. The sultan does not wear them. Now we know the level of those who claimed that black pants are only to be worn by his family only.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of palace ceremonial staff dressed in red baju melayu and black pants.
On Wednesday, Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim shared a picture of himself with his siblings and Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on Instagram dressed in Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga paired with black pants. He said it was the traditional attire of the Johor royalty and this was why no one else in the Johor government wore black pants.