The Sabah Rural Development Ministry has welcomed the recommendation by Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal (photo, above) that civil servants wear traditional clothes to work.

Its minister Ewon Benedick said the government's decision to allow civil servants to wear traditional outfits to the office on certain days proved the government's commitment to respecting and highlighting the cultures of the various ethnic communities in the state.

"This is a new policy introduced by the Sabah government today which does not only strengthen our cultural heritage, but can also create a new industry to design or produce ethnic Sabah-style clothes suitable for office wear or attending official government events,” Ewon said.

He was speaking to reporters after a photo session held in conjunction with the first day of staff wearing traditional attire to the office in Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.

Ewon, who is also Kadamaian assemblyperson, said his ministry would be observing the dress code every Thursday.

- Bernama