Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is planning to update its cabin crew uniforms, and are asking customers if they should make their Kebaya more modest. The Kebaya uniform worn by MAS stewardesses has been in use since 1972 and has become synonymous with the brand. There have been several updates over the years, but it is still unmistakably Malaysian because it incorporates Malaysian elements into the design, such as local flowers.

The airline’s operator Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) on Monday sent an e-mail with a survey attached to members of its travel and lifestyle loyalty programme, Enrich, asking for their opinion on switching from the kebaya to a more "modest" uniform.

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They are asking their customers for a more modern twist into a uniform which looks Malaysian with maintaining&nbsp;the modesty of a kebaya.&nbsp;It also asks customers if they are&nbsp;in favour of making changes to their uniforms to provide an option for female cabin crew to don a hijab while serving onboard both domestic and international flights.

Take a look at the survey form here
<img alt="Malaysia Airlines survey form " data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3821eef2-8be8-4734-b13c-4feb30a84429" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-19T125304.063.png" />
In a follow-up question, Malaysia Airlines also asks if the customers would like to see their crew abandon the Kebaya in favour of more modest and practical uniforms worn by other airlines, such as a pantsuit, skirt, and jacket. It also welcomes additional uniform suggestions and ideas.

The politics over cabin crew uniforms&nbsp;

The modesty of cabin crew members of Malaysia-based airlines has been raised by various local parties in the Parliament. In 2018, Transport Minister Anthony Loke was asked by Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff if the "revealing" attire can ensure the safety of air travel. Meanwhile, Kuala Nerus MP Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali also asked if MAS plans to allow Muslim stewardesses to don the hijab.
<img alt="Malaysia Airlines cabin crews' uniform " data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7d33fde-91d6-4350-9e3f-735154568396" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-19T130404.703.png" />
In response to the questions and remarks, Anthony Loke said the design of the uniform is based on the policies set by the airlines and he will discuss the matter of allowing the hijab with the management of the airlines.

Tumpat MP Che Abdullah Mat Nawi later commented that Malaysian stewardesses' uniforms appear to be too "revealing" when compared to cabin crew of other international airlines, including those in the West, which wear pants. When asked for his opinion, Anthony Loke stated that the uniform design is subjective and that anyone who finds it objectionable should not look at the stewardess.

The Kebaya uniform for cabin crew was first worn in the late 1960s by Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The original design was carried over to Singapore Airlines after the split of MSA by Frenchman Pierre Balmain.

Malaysia Airline System required its own uniform when it began operations in 1972. A local designer was chosen from among nine submissions, and the design featured a Kebaya top complemented by a skirt.

The criticism over the new plan of Malaysia Airlines&nbsp;

The&nbsp;aviation consultancy Endau Analytics’ founder Shukor Yusof said&nbsp;MAB should focus on how the carrier can strategically use its Boeing Max jets that will be delivered this year while pushing the sustainability agenda in general.&nbsp;

He further said, "&nbsp;If changing cabin crew outfits result in the airline posting profits, improves on safety and advances the industry’s move towards ‘net zero’ carbon emissions, then go for it. Otherwise, stick to the tried and tested. As they say, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it".&nbsp;

Another analyst said MAB should focus on improving passenger loads as well as protecting itself from several headwinds such as high-interest rates and foreign exchange volatility, instead of focusing on the uniforms of its cabin crews.&nbsp;

"As the airline has been bleeding in losses for years, they should focus on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and eyeing to have stronger cashflows in 2023", said the analyst.

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Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is planning to update its cabin crew uniforms, and are asking customers if they should make their Kebaya more modest. The Kebaya uniform worn by MAS stewardesses has been in use since 1972 and has become synonymous with the brand.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is planning to update its cabin crew uniforms, and are asking customers if they should make their Kebaya more modest. The Kebaya uniform worn by MAS stewardesses has been in use since 1972 and has become synonymous with the brand. There have been several updates over the years, but it is still unmistakably Malaysian because it incorporates Malaysian elements into the design, such as local flowers. The airline’s operator Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) on Monday sent an e-mail with a survey attached to members of its travel and lifestyle loyalty programme, Enrich, asking for their opinion on switching from the kebaya to a more "modest" uniform. Also Read | Two drinks per week, dry January: Canada's new recommendation for alcohol consumption They are asking their customers for a more modern twist into a uniform which looks Malaysian with maintaining the modesty of a kebaya. It also asks customers if they are in favour of making changes to their uniforms to provide an option for female cabin crew to don a hijab while serving onboard both domestic and international flights. Take a look at the survey form here In a follow-up question, Malaysia Airlines also asks if the customers would like to see their crew abandon the Kebaya in favour of more modest and practical uniforms worn by other airlines, such as a pantsuit, skirt, and jacket. It also welcomes additional uniform suggestions and ideas. The politics over cabin crew uniforms The modesty of cabin crew members of Malaysia-based airlines has been raised by various local parties in the Parliament. In 2018, Transport Minister Anthony Loke was asked by Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff if the "revealing" attire can ensure the safety of air travel. Meanwhile, Kuala Nerus MP Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali also asked if MAS plans to allow Muslim stewardesses to don the hijab. In response to the questions and remarks, Anthony Loke said the design of the uniform is based on the policies set by the airlines and he will discuss the matter of allowing the hijab with the management of the airlines. Tumpat MP Che Abdullah Mat Nawi later commented that Malaysian stewardesses' uniforms appear to be too "revealing" when compared to cabin crew of other international airlines, including those in the West, which wear pants. When asked for his opinion, Anthony Loke stated that the uniform design is subjective and that anyone who finds it objectionable should not look at the stewardess. The Kebaya uniform for cabin crew was first worn in the late 1960s by Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The original design was carried over to Singapore Airlines after the split of MSA by Frenchman Pierre Balmain. Malaysia Airline System required its own uniform when it began operations in 1972. A local designer was chosen from among nine submissions, and the design featured a Kebaya top complemented by a skirt. The criticism over the new plan of Malaysia Airlines The aviation consultancy Endau Analytics’ founder Shukor Yusof said MAB should focus on how the carrier can strategically use its Boeing Max jets that will be delivered this year while pushing the sustainability agenda in general. He further said, " If changing cabin crew outfits result in the airline posting profits, improves on safety and advances the industry’s move towards ‘net zero’ carbon emissions, then go for it. Otherwise, stick to the tried and tested. As they say, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it". Another analyst said MAB should focus on improving passenger loads as well as protecting itself from several headwinds such as high-interest rates and foreign exchange volatility, instead of focusing on the uniforms of its cabin crews. "As the airline has been bleeding in losses for years, they should focus on recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic and eyeing to have stronger cashflows in 2023", said the analyst. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Malaysia Airlines drew criticism over its plan to make uniform of cabin crew look "modest"

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;said they had begun joint&nbsp;legal&nbsp;action&nbsp;against&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of Malaysia Airlines flight&nbsp;MH17&nbsp;eight years ago.

Russia&nbsp;was responsible under international law for the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of the flight, and&nbsp;action&nbsp;in the United Nations aviation council was a step forward in the fight for justice for 298 victims, including 38&nbsp;Australians,&nbsp;Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday.

Australia&nbsp;said the incident was a clear breach of a convention to protect civilian aircraft from weapons fire.

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The Dutch government said in a statement the UN Security Council had also been informed of the step.

Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in the statement: "The death of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch, cannot and should not remain without consequences. The current events in Ukraine underscore the vital importance of this."

The joint&nbsp;action&nbsp;under Article 84 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is separate to a Dutch murder trial for four suspects over their individual criminal responsibility.

Australia&nbsp;said it was seeking full reparations from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;for the injury caused, and the suspension of&nbsp;Russia's voting power in the aviation council, which sets standards for civilian air travel.

While it has no regulatory power, the Montreal-based ICAO sits at the centre of a system of safety and security standards that operates across political barriers but requires an often slow-moving consensus.

"Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of its aggression underscores the need to continue our enduring efforts to hold&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to account for its blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, including threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and airspace," Morrison and Payne said in the statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-australia-virtual-summit-later-this-month-461988">India, Australia virtual summit later this month</a>

MH17&nbsp;was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 when it was hit over rebel-held eastern Ukraine by what international investigators and prosecutors say was a&nbsp;Russian-made surface-to-air missile.

Moscow has always denied involvement and has promoted a range of alternative theories, which international investigators have rejected as unsupported by evidence.

A verdict in the murder trial, involving three&nbsp;Russians and a Ukrainian who remain at large, is expected later this year. None of the defendants have attended the Dutch court.

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;would rely on evidence&nbsp;MH17&nbsp;was shot down by a&nbsp;Russian surface-to-air missile system transported from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to an area of eastern Ukraine under the control of&nbsp;Russian-backed separatists, and it was accompanied by a&nbsp;Russian military crew, the statement said.

The missile system was returned to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;shortly after the&nbsp;downing&nbsp;of&nbsp;MH17, it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Has China infiltrated the Australian parliament?

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"Russia&nbsp;has to date refused to take responsibility for its clear role in this incident," Payne told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

Australia&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Netherlands&nbsp;had pursued negotiations with&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in good faith over the incident, but&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;unilaterally withdrew from the talks in 2020, she said.

Australia and the Netherlands said they had begun joint legal action against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 eight years ago.

Australia and the Netherlands said they had begun joint legal action against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 eight years ago. Russia was responsible under international law for the downing of the flight, and action in the United Nations aviation council was a step forward in the fight for justice for 298 victims, including 38 Australians, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday. Australia said the incident was a clear breach of a convention to protect civilian aircraft from weapons fire. Also read | India, Australia and Japan imported most arms in last 5 years: SIPRI The Dutch government said in a statement the UN Security Council had also been informed of the step. Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in the statement: "The death of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch, cannot and should not remain without consequences. The current events in Ukraine underscore the vital importance of this." The joint action under Article 84 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is separate to a Dutch murder trial for four suspects over their individual criminal responsibility. Australia said it was seeking full reparations from Russia for the injury caused, and the suspension of Russia's voting power in the aviation council, which sets standards for civilian air travel. While it has no regulatory power, the Montreal-based ICAO sits at the centre of a system of safety and security standards that operates across political barriers but requires an often slow-moving consensus. "Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine and the escalation of its aggression underscores the need to continue our enduring efforts to hold Russia to account for its blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter, including threats to Ukraine’s sovereignty and airspace," Morrison and Payne said in the statement. Also read | India, Australia virtual summit later this month MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014 when it was hit over rebel-held eastern Ukraine by what international investigators and prosecutors say was a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. Moscow has always denied involvement and has promoted a range of alternative theories, which international investigators have rejected as unsupported by evidence. A verdict in the murder trial, involving three Russians and a Ukrainian who remain at large, is expected later this year. None of the defendants have attended the Dutch court. Australia and the Netherlands would rely on evidence MH17 was shot down by a Russian surface-to-air missile system transported from Russia to an area of eastern Ukraine under the control of Russian-backed separatists, and it was accompanied by a Russian military crew, the statement said. The missile system was returned to Russia shortly after the downing of MH17, it said. Watch | Gravitas: Has China infiltrated the Australian parliament? "Russia has to date refused to take responsibility for its clear role in this incident," Payne told reporters in Sydney on Monday. Australia and the Netherlands had pursued negotiations with Russia in good faith over the incident, but Russia unilaterally withdrew from the talks in 2020, she said.

Australia, Netherlands start legal action against Russia for downing of MH17

The president of sanctions-hit Iran called Thursday for Muslim countries to cooperate in fighting US "economic terrorism" at the opening of a summit aimed at tackling the Islamic world's woes.

Hundreds of delegates are attending the gathering in Malaysia&nbsp;including heads of state and religious leaders but the meeting has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-defends-muslim-summit-shunned-by-saudi-slammed-by-oic-269055">snubbed by Saudi Arabia</a>, home to Islam's holiest shrines.

The summit has also been criticised for undermining the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Saudi-based global body representing Muslim nations and organisations.

Issues including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-rohingya-worlds-fastest-growing-refugee-crisis-267598">plight of Myanmar's Rohingya</a> and China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority could be discussed, although, with massive Chinese infrastructure in many Islamic nations, criticism may be muted.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Plight of Rohingyas is world's fastest-growing refugee crisis

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In opening remarks, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani&nbsp;slammed Washington's global clout.

"American economic regime, and dollarisation of national and global economies, have provided the United States with the possibility of advancing its hegemony under the threat of sanctions and economic terrorism," he said.

The Muslim world needs to be saved "from the domination of the United States dollar, and the American financial regime", he added, calling for greater financial cooperation between Islamic countries.

The United States re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-deal-parties-meet-as-accord-nears-collapse-266694">Islamic republic's nuclear programme</a>.

In his welcome address at the Kuala Lumpur event, Malaysian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-suggests-he-could-stay-in-office-beyond-2020-268284/amp">Mahathir Mohamad</a> said that Muslim countries were "in a state of crisis, helpless and unworthy of this great religion which is meant to be good for mankind".

He also insisted summit organisers were "not discriminating (against) or isolating anyone" after the absence of Saudi Arabia triggered speculation the meeting was aimed at countering the kingdom's influence.

We have "invited almost all Muslim nations to participate in this summit, albeit at different levels", he said.

With Saudi rivals Iran, Qatar and Turkey in attendance, analysts had suggested the meeting could be aimed at forming a rival bloc to the OIC.&nbsp;

There were signs Riyadh was worried, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-imran-khan-cancels-malaysia-summit-under-saudi-diplomatic-pressure-268893">withdrawing from the gathering</a> reportedly after Saudi pressure.

Mahathir dismissed such concerns in a phone call this week with Saudi Arabia's King Salman.&nbsp;

But the OIC, which has 57 members, launched a veiled attack Wednesday on the event, saying such gatherings would weaken Islam.

The president of sanctions-hit Iran called Thursday for Muslim countries to cooperate in fighting US "economic terrorism" at the opening of a summit aimed at tackling the Islamic world's woes.

The president of sanctions-hit Iran called Thursday for Muslim countries to cooperate in fighting US "economic terrorism" at the opening of a summit aimed at tackling the Islamic world's woes. Hundreds of delegates are attending the gathering in Malaysia including heads of state and religious leaders but the meeting has been snubbed by Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest shrines. The summit has also been criticised for undermining the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Saudi-based global body representing Muslim nations and organisations. Issues including the plight of Myanmar's Rohingya and China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority could be discussed, although, with massive Chinese infrastructure in many Islamic nations, criticism may be muted. Also Watch: Plight of Rohingyas is world's fastest-growing refugee crisis × In opening remarks, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani slammed Washington's global clout. "American economic regime, and dollarisation of national and global economies, have provided the United States with the possibility of advancing its hegemony under the threat of sanctions and economic terrorism," he said. The Muslim world needs to be saved "from the domination of the United States dollar, and the American financial regime", he added, calling for greater financial cooperation between Islamic countries. The United States re-imposed crippling sanctions on Iran in 2018 after withdrawing from an international deal aimed at tackling the Islamic republic's nuclear programme. In his welcome address at the Kuala Lumpur event, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Muslim countries were "in a state of crisis, helpless and unworthy of this great religion which is meant to be good for mankind". He also insisted summit organisers were "not discriminating (against) or isolating anyone" after the absence of Saudi Arabia triggered speculation the meeting was aimed at countering the kingdom's influence. We have "invited almost all Muslim nations to participate in this summit, albeit at different levels", he said. With Saudi rivals Iran, Qatar and Turkey in attendance, analysts had suggested the meeting could be aimed at forming a rival bloc to the OIC. There were signs Riyadh was worried, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan withdrawing from the gathering reportedly after Saudi pressure. Mahathir dismissed such concerns in a phone call this week with Saudi Arabia's King Salman. But the OIC, which has 57 members, launched a veiled attack Wednesday on the event, saying such gatherings would weaken Islam.

Iran urges to fight against US 'economic terrorism' at Muslim summit

The new efforts to find the missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370, which went missing four years ago, is expected to be completed by June this year, according to a Malaysian official.

After previous efforts to search for the plane failed completely, the Malaysian government in January inked an agreement with the United States&#39;&nbsp;based exploration firm - &#39;Ocean Infinity&#39;, to resume search on a &#39;no cure, no fee&#39;&nbsp;basis within a 90-day timeframe.

At a gathering to mark the fourth anniversary of the missing MH370 in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, told the families that the 90-day window would not include the days when the Seabed Constructor, the vessel operated by Ocean Infinity, leaves the search area to refuel and resupply in the nearby port roughly every 26 days, Xinhua reported.

&quot;I expect the search to finish in early June or mid-June,&quot; Rahman stated.

He added that the search, spread across 120,000 square km, had entered the second search area of around 10,000 square km. The first 5,000 square km search did not find any trace of the missing place.

&quot;The search will move further north if the plane is not found in the 25,000 square km recommended by the Australian investigators&quot;, Rahman said.

According to the Malaysian government, a total area of 8,200 square km has been covered till February 25, with &quot;no significant contacts identified to date&quot; in the latest weekly search update.

Meanwhile, the recovery plan is being finalised with Malaysian and Australian agencies if the MH370 plane is found. Rahman added that the primary target for recovery is to find the two black boxes of the plane.

MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people on board. The aircraft has not been recovered and the cause for the disappearance remains unknown.

Malaysian government in January inked an agreement with the United States' based exploration firm - 'Ocean Infinity', to resume search on a 'no cure, no fee' basis within a 90-day timeframe

The new efforts to find the missing Malaysia Airline flight MH370, which went missing four years ago, is expected to be completed by June this year, according to a Malaysian official. After previous efforts to search for the plane failed completely, the Malaysian government in January inked an agreement with the United States' based exploration firm - 'Ocean Infinity', to resume search on a 'no cure, no fee' basis within a 90-day timeframe. At a gathering to mark the fourth anniversary of the missing MH370 in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman, the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, told the families that the 90-day window would not include the days when the Seabed Constructor, the vessel operated by Ocean Infinity, leaves the search area to refuel and resupply in the nearby port roughly every 26 days, Xinhua reported. "I expect the search to finish in early June or mid-June," Rahman stated. He added that the search, spread across 120,000 square km, had entered the second search area of around 10,000 square km. The first 5,000 square km search did not find any trace of the missing place. "The search will move further north if the plane is not found in the 25,000 square km recommended by the Australian investigators", Rahman said. According to the Malaysian government, a total area of 8,200 square km has been covered till February 25, with "no significant contacts identified to date" in the latest weekly search update. Meanwhile, the recovery plan is being finalised with Malaysian and Australian agencies if the MH370 plane is found. Rahman added that the primary target for recovery is to find the two black boxes of the plane. MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people on board. The aircraft has not been recovered and the cause for the disappearance remains unknown.

MH370 hunt likely to end in June