Let’s have a national dress for SG50

Next year is our 50th year of independence, and perhaps it is time to formalise a national dress that truly represents our culture.

I feel their discomfort when I see local representatives wearing business suits under the hot sun when accompanying foreign visitors.

In contrast, one can see government officials from our neighbouring countries such as Malaysia or Indonesia, which have a similar climate, wearing batik shirts at events where foreign visitors are present. They look cool and comfortable. Sometimes, they even manage to persuade their visitors to wear their national dress, as at the Association of South-east Asian Nations meetings.

It would be best if we could design one that encompasses characteristics of our four major races. Or we could have four designs, each representing each race for official use.