New Zealander says ‘disgusting’ AirAsia uniforms are ruining Malaysia’s reputation

A New Zealand woman has called upon a Malaysian senator to address the “extremely short skirts” worn by AirAsia flight attendants, saying the uniforms are ruining Malaysia’s reputation as a “respectful” country.

In a letter posted to social media on Tuesday, June Robertson of Tawa, Wellington, said she had felt “very offended” by the female flight attendants’ skirts on her twice yearly trips to Malaysia over the past decade.

In her letter, she relayed a “terrible” occasion when she saw an AirAsia stewardess’ underwear after she bent over at an airport supermarket.

She also said that, on a flight from Auckland to Kuala Lumpur last October, she asked the female attendant serving her in premium business class to close her jacket as she “had her blouse opened and I could see the top of her breasts”.

“I find it quite disgusting myself as not everyone appreciates this,” she wrote.

The letter was addressed to senator Hanafi Mamat, from the ruling Umno party. Mamat argued last November that attendants on local airlines should wear “syariah-compliant” uniforms.

Mamat said tourists might get the wrong impression of the country if stewardesses dress up “sexily and disrespectfully”.

In her letter, Robertson described herself as a “middle-aged professional woman” who loves Malaysia.

“One of the things we like about Malaysia is the fact your women do not dress like prostitutes and the people are very respectful of others.

“This airline is letting your reputation down and if you visit KLIA 2 [Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2] there are many women in red uniforms walking around with very short skirts. Gives the wrong impression of Malaysia… Thank you for addressing this.”

She did not have a problem with male attendants, whom she described as “respectfully dressed and very professional”.

Robertson acknowledged the letter when contacted by Stuff but refused to comment further.

Mamat is not the only Malaysian politician to complain about local airlines’ uniforms. In December 2017, Senator Abdullah Mat Yasim said that the “eye-catching outfits” on AirAsia and other budget local airlines did not reflect the Islamic status of Malaysia.