KUALA LUMPUR: A number of parliamentarians have adopted the 'no-necktie' option in the august house today, in a move to make the Dewan Rakyat less formal and strict.
Among those who opted to go necktie-free on the second day of the sitting include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his deputies, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Other cabinet members who did away with the necktie tod same include Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban), Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan), Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (BN-Senator), and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (BN-Kota Tinggi), among others.
On the other side of the divide, however, nearly all opposition members of Parliament (MPs) kept their neckties on as part of their formal wear.
Senior Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs including Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh), Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang), Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) and Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) still wore neckties around their necks.
Yesterday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker had exempted MPs from wearing neckties for today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.
He made the announcement after receiving suggestions from the MPs.
Since taking office, Anwar was seen often without the necktie. His style had then been adopted by his fellow male Cabinet members.
