Sabahan civil servants can now wear traditional ethnic outfits to the office!
Good news for our Bornean brothers!
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau has announced that state civil servants can now wear the traditional ethnic outfits (busana) as formal office wear every Thursday.
According to The Borneo Post, Datuk Seri Wilfred stated this had been agreed by United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), who passed a resolution back in October 2018 to make Sabah’s traditional ethnic costume as the official dress at any official government function.
(Picture Credit: Free Malaysia Today)
As the traditional outfit includes the sigar (men’s headgear) and women’s head scarf and limpogot (waist band), these will also be allowed to be worn in the office.
“Bah, its busana, so it means a complete traditional outfit. We try to dress as such as much as possible.â€
Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister via The Borneo Post
Sabah is home to 32 officially recognised ethnic groups, who each possess distinctly unique traditional outfits. Amongst them include the Kadazan-Dusun, Bahau, Murut and Rungus ethicities.
(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)
(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)
These outfits show off impressive needle-work as well as
intricate embroidery with beads and sequins. They’re often paired with headgear,
belts and other ornaments.
(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)
(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)
This is a welcome move that allows the Sabahans to proudly showcase their cultural heritage.
Currently, civil servants wear batik to the office every Thursday. Maybe one day, we can all wear traditional outfits everyday to the office?
