PALOH, MALAYSIA - Malaysia's Education Minister dismissed talk that the current uniform worn by girls in government schools, which has been in use for decades, was too 'sexy' and that it contributed to rape and other immoral acts.

Mr Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said the uniform would probably not change much in the next few years.

He said that he personally felt it was unfair to blame the students or their uniforms for sexual crimes committed against them.

'It is unfair to punish women and children for the clothes they wear for the act of the rapist,' he said, adding that he could not allow such stereotyping to continue.

'Clothing is not the main consideration for those who commit despicable acts like these,' he said, in reference to the National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia's condemnation of the uniform for being too sexy.

The association said the uniform encouraged rape and pre-marital sex.

Mr Hishammuddin said that although he believed that changing the uniforms would not reduce sexual crimes committed against schoolgirls, he would refer the matter to experts within his ministry before making a decision.

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