'What is there in a shawl?': M'sian minister Hannah Yeoh responds to criticism about her wearing tudung

Malaysian minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has responded to contradictory opinions about her donning the headscarf, on Mar. 12.

"I'm comfortable wearing a scarf," she said in a Facebook post.

Yeoh's remarks come after several netizens criticised her for showing up at events during Ramadan wearing the tudung, while some found fault when she did not wear one.

Criticism either way

Prior to Yeoh's response, posts circulating on social media platform Threads shared netizens' disapproval on her attire.

One user called her a "famous actress", suggesting that she was merely "acting as a Malay", referring to a picture of her donning the headscarf.

At the time, Yeoh was attending a public event at Saidina Ali Mosque in Selangor on Mar. 7.

In Islamic history, Nuzul Al-Quran refers to a blessed night in Ramadan pertaining to the second stage of the Quran's descent.

The caption read: "Not appropriate due to her attire. While the Al-Quran is pure to us Muslims."

"Whatever it is, as long as the heart is calm"

In her post, Yeoh addressed comments about her attire and implied that her choice to wear a scarf had drawn mixed reactions.

She wrote: "When I wear it, people say that it's just an act. But when I don't, I'm accused of disrespect."

"Whatever it is as long as the heart is calm, only God is the Giver of grace," she said.

The minister said she had attended many iftar ceremonies at houses of worship during Ramadan, and emphasised that appropriate conduct was important when entering such spaces.

"And I’m comfortable wearing a scarf. This is what many people don't understand," she highlighted.