Malays, on the other hand, Tee declared in his column published in Sinar Harian, would go all out for such a cause.

The Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza) lecturer then asked readers if they had seen non-Malay leaders, including the “ultra kiasu” ones from the Barisan Nasional component parties, donning a baju Melayu during Hari Raya celebrations.

“It can be said, there are none at all. This shows that they look down on the Malay-Muslim culture.”

He also pointed out that non-Malay assemblymen, be it from BN or the Opposition, would never wear the baju Melayu even during Parliament official functions.

Tee’s comments came following a fashion faux-pas involving a PAS leader who dressed up as a Chinese deity to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The PAS leader claimed he had mistakenly thought the attire was that of a Chinese emperor.

Tee also argued that it was shallow to think donning such attire would lead to greater unity.

“Unity comes via sacrifices and compromise, especially in a pluralistic community like Malaysia.”