JOHOR BARU: There is nothing wrong with the uniform worn by nurses in Malaysia, says Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

"There are ethics nurses adhere to when it comes to their uniforms and it is clear to me that there is no problem," she said.

Dr Zaliha said what is more important for the Ministry to focus on now is on providing the best services for the public.

"We have just tabled the Health White Paper and should be focusing on what is important, which is providing the best health services to the people. For now, I do not see the uniform as an issue," she said here on Sunday (June 18).

Dr Zaliha was speaking to reporters after the handing-over ceremony of three projects from the Public Works Department (JKR) to the Health Ministry at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) here.

She had been asked to comment on the remarks on the attire of nurses made by Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor.

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While debating the White Paper of Public Health Reforms in the Dewan Rakyat recently, Wan Razali said the government should consider changing the uniforms for nurses as they are too tight and not syariah-compliant.

He also said that women's body shapes were visible with the current uniform.

"Are we still following the Western dress code? Can it be changed to allow some 'relaxation' of the nurses' uniform?" he told the Dewan Rakyat.

The PAS MP has since come under fire for his remarks.

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In response, Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said current Health Ministry nurse uniforms are practical as they did not restrict the movement of nurses carrying out their duties.

Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the present uniforms are comfortable, functional and decent, catering well to each institution and individual preferences.