“Batik Thursday”, beginning today, allows MPs to come in floral shirts and dresses on a voluntary basis.

The MPs praised each other for promoting local heritage.

Tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri thanked them for supporting the local industry by wearing batik.

“You deserve all the applause.”

She said each MP will get a RM30 cash rebate to buy any batik textile for every RM100 spent at Kraftangan outlets, including the one at the Dewan Rakyat.

M Karupaiya (PH-Padang Serai) stood up to praise deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon for wearing a batik shirt. Rashid responded that he bought it at the Dewan Rakyat outlet.

Rusnah Aluai (PH-Tangga) dedicated “Batik Day” with a poem, praising those wearing batik attire as it will spur the local industry.

This inspired Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) to also read a poem. She said batik was pleasing to the eye and its sales will help boost the local economy.

Kasthuri also apologised for not reading out her question to the relevant minister on Pos Malaysia, causing laughter in the house.

The motion to wear batik on a voluntary basis was brought by Nancy last Thursday to promote the country’s heritage.

In 2016, Parliament banned MPs from wearing batik. MPs were required to wear dark-coloured lounge suits with leather shoes while women MPs had to wear black suits.