KUALA LUMPUR: Universities have been given the autonomy to decide on their own dress codes, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
He said the ministry had never interfered on matters of dress code as it was under the jurisdiction of each individual university's vice chancellors.
"As far as the ministry is concerned, things like this (dress codes), we don't want to control the university.
"If the ministry implements dress codes, then all of the universities will be the same (have a standard dress code). We have to follow the vice-chancellors," he told the New Straits Times.
Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Chi Yang had urged the Higher Education Ministry to relax the dress code for students in public universities.
He said several students at a public university were reportedly reprimanded for not complying with the dress code, which included dying their hair and "wearing too many earrings".
He also noted that another university required male students to wear ties and leather shoes when sitting for exams.
Meanwhile, student unions lauded Ho's suggestion to relax dress codes so as to promote comfort and creativity among students through self-expression.
International Islamic University Malaysia Student Union president Muhammad Aliff Naif Mohd Fizam said he agreed with the suggestion of having a more relaxed and inclusive dress code policy in universities to allow students the freedom to express themselves.
"We believe that students should have the freedom to express themselves through their personal style, as long as it is modest and appropriate for an educational setting.
"This includes the allowance of round neck t-shirts, jeans, and other casual attire, as a way to promote comfort, creativity, and diversity among students," he said.
Universiti Malaya Student Union president Ooi Guo Shen concurred, saying dress codes need not be strictly enforced, adding that students could instead be advised should their outfit reflect badly on the university.
He said that some rules such as the compulsory use of leather shoes during exams were outrageous and had no value nor added meaning to student life.
"Essentially, we agree that dress codes need not be over-enforced.
"If you have time to police what we are wearing, (you are) better off spending the time to organise more programmes, engage with students, gather data and roll out initiatives," he said.