I refer to the Malaysiakini report Sexy school uniforms: PAS wants action .

If it is true that covering up is ‘important to fend off social ills’, I'm curious to know if it prevents racism, sexism and ignorance too. Let us not forget how important that last social ill is.

I am already seventeen years of age, currently enduring my final year in what was once a prestigious semi-private school. I, too, wear the uniform condemned as being ‘distracting to men’, that is, a white-collared shirt which is in no way figure-hugging or transparent, as well as the typical pinafore which creates a thick, uncomfortable and, dare I say, ugly uniform.

But it works.

What prompted me to write this letter is the fact that I have been in this system for literally all my life, and when there are more important issues to address such as the divide between the rich and the poor in an urban setting, the fact that other people my age care little for the political future of this country or any other, the ignorance towards the meaning of global warming, the importance of recycling, the escalating number of smokers and junkies and last but not least, the never ending supply of teachers with a ‘ tak pe lah’ attitude – regardless of race - what do they call attention to? What I wear everyday of all things.

In a humid classroom with poorly functioning fans, nothing is more uncomfortable than a thick collar and a tie around your neck, as you suffocate while trying to make sense of what one teacher’s monotone monologue is. The more conforming students who choose to wear long sleeves and keep them neatly in place (while others roll them up) may be following rules and ‘fending off social ills’ but their attention is very much affected by the fact they’re in an uncomfortable environment, and in turn, their performance is also affected.

Seeing as how hot this country is, and how much students see the sun, it would be more than impractical to change our shirts to different colors - white breathes the easiest, and yet still it’s too hot!

Please do not forget that being youths also requires being active, it’s easier to run in a pinafore than risk tripping in a longer skirt – in a school with many flights of stairs, I assure you it’s happened.

As for transparent shirts? The pinafore has two layers. The supposedly more conservative baju kurung is always more transparent, with its single layer. At least, I can tell you seeing a girl’s camisole under a long sheer shirt is a lot more appealing than an almost invisible hint of anything else beneath the alternative uniform.

The issue is sexual harassment, rape, pre-marital sex and the enticement of our great society’s innocent men by these wretched teenagers. In my defence, being a pinafore-wearing charlatan, I would like to point out that it is never the girls of the pinafore-wearing population standing at the bus stops, flirting with their Mat Rempit boyfriends. So what do you do in those cases?

Another question my young mind would like to see answered is why is it the woman’s fault that men have pedophilic tendencies, uniform fetishes and ultimately the drive to commit such sins?

Do you mean to tell me that womenkind have so much power over men? Goodness, what am I doing at my computer seat when I could be ruling the world?

Satirical as I am, I do hope your dear readers find humour in this serious issue and realise how ridiculous it is to blame the outer appearance of someone for issues that stem from a much darker place.

If you want to talk image though, I can assure you that many teenage girls like me feel very awkward, uncomfortable and generally are left with low self-esteem because of our uniforms.

Though, it has nothing to do with the uniforms when it comes to girls prostituting themselves. Instead, that stems from issues mentioned above which are simply swept under the rug. Money, pretty gifts, the feeling of power, belonging and/or the need for a pack of cigarettes are the true driving force of why they do what they do.

Even if you put them in armour, I assure you the result will be the same. I beg that the religious groups of our country call to attention more important issues, if they truly need to add to the news.

P.S. I assure you I am the result of excellent parenting rather than any school or uniform.