Malaysian education minister says school uniforms do not 'invite rape'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Malaysia's education minister has dismissed complaints by an Islamic group that uniforms of schoolgirls are too sexy and invite rape, an official said Monday. Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said over the weekend his ministry was unlikely to change the school uniforms, which he does not consider to be too sexy, but said officials would look into the matter. "It is unfair to punish women and children and the clothes they wear for the act of rapists," The Star daily quoted him as saying. "From what I have seen, clothing is not the main consideration of those who commit despicable acts." The uniform became an issue in the local media after a little known group, the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia, issued a statement last week, saying the loose, white blouse worn by schoolgirls was too transparent.