KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh today revealed the set of gold-coloured official attire of the Malaysian contingent to the Paris 2024 Olympics Games. Named "The Malaya", the collection designed by duo Rizman Ruzaini will feature Baju Kurung complete with a headscarf for female athletes, while the men will be dressed in Baju Melayu Teluk Belanga, complemented by songkok and sampin. “For me, this inspiration is not foreign to the Rizman Ruzaini brand as we are one of the local designers who always champion the selection of our traditional cultural attire such as Baju Kurung Pahang, Baju Kurung Kedah, Baju Melayu, and Sampin.
“It demonstrates how fashion unites all races in a peaceful and united country like Malaysia. We have a rich history, and we want it to continue as a beautiful unification for all ethnicities,” creative director Ruzaini Jamil said in a statement. According to the designer,s the collection “embodies the spirit of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo warriors before the independence era” which will accompany the athletes in Paris.
It named national heroes as inspiration, such as: Datuk Maharaja Lela, Dol Said, Yamtuan Antah, Tok Janggut, Datuk Bahaman, Mat Kilau, Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Rentap, Mat Salleh, Antanum and Sharif Masahor. “The choice of Baju Kurung with a headscarf was made because its design enhances the graceful appearance while fitting perfectly on the female athletes,” it said. �.