It's a samfu, just the wrong size: RTM explains newscaster's 'cheongsam'

stinger.baik · Post time 18-2-2021 10:39 AM

A picture of a male newscaster on Malaysian TV presumably wearing a cheongsam (also known as qipao), usually a women’s outfit, attracted attention among the netizens.

However, RTM spokesperson clarified that what the newsreader was wearing is actually an outfit called samfu that’s worn by men.

K. Krishnamoorthy, RTM’s director of public relation division, said: “As a government agency, RTM is sensitive towards cultural and racial matters. We always refer and countercheck on things like this.

“(On the outfit), we referred to our stylist Jenny Kueh who told us that this is a trendy wear at the moment which originates from a traditional outfit from the Machu ethnic group in China. It is called a samfu.

“Our mistake is, it's the wrong size for our newsreader.”

The newsreader in question is Mohd Dhihya Sahlan who read the Berita Wilayah slot on TV1, which was broadcast from Sabah, on the first day of Chinese New Year (Feb 12).

Kueh said: “What Wong Fei Hung (Once Upon A Time In China) wears is a long samfu version that almost reaches the feet. This the short version.”

While earlier comments on the picture garnered negative remarks that the station is insensitive in not checking the outfit properly, the later comments by netizens highlighted that the outfit is actually worn by men.

Likewise, some netizens did point out that characters in film like Ip Man and Once Upon A Time In China have worn similar outfits.

One of the negative comments posted online was from radio personality Patrick Teoh who wrote “The guy and station does not realised (sic) that he is wearing a woman’s cheong sam!”

Krishnamoorthy added: “We, at RTM, are a bit upset with Mr Patrick Teoh. A personality like him, being a Chinese ethnic, should have checked his facts before giving a very irresponsible remark like this.

“It is a defaming comment. While we welcome criticism, it must be done in a proper manner. Let it be a constructive criticism and not delivered in a rude way, ”.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian fashion community is divided over the issue. Some designers do not see anything wrong with the outfit, while others believe it should not be worn at all.

Malaysian designer Melinda Looi pointed out that the outfit does look like a samfu, which is also designed for men and sports the side opening similar to a cheongsam.

However, the general consensus from those in the fashion industry is that, it is not a well-designed piece. According to them, the thin and shiny fabric with the piping make the outfit look feminine, which could’ve caused the misunderstanding.

(Additional reporting by Bervin Cheong)

https://www.thestar.com.my/lifes ... eongsam-but-a-samfu

stinger.baik · Post time 18-2-2021 10:40 AM

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/ ... tional-male-costume

PETALING JAYA: Here’s something about Chinese fashion, the first lesson in this Lunar New Year.

There’s qipao, the elegant female attire which everybody knows, and glamorised by Maggie Cheung in In the Mood for Love.

And there is also the samfu, a traditional outfit for men and women depending on the cutting.

Sabah RTM unwittingly kicked off an online storm when one of its male newsreaders wore a samfu on the first day of Chinese New Year.

Many had accused the TV station of being ignorant by dressing him in something meant for women.

Sabah RTM said it had consulted its stylist Jenny Kueh who said the attire worn by newsreader Mohd Dhihya Sahlan was a traditional male costume worn by the Manchurian people during the Qing dynasty in China.

Kueh said: “What Wong Fei Hung (Once Upon A Time In China) wears is a long samfu version that almost reaches the feet. This is the short version.”

Dhihya, who read the Berita Wilayah on TV1 broadcast from Sabah, had bought it on his own initiative.

Sabah RTM said it had only one Chinese traditional costume on its set, which was used by a presenter for another of its programme that day.

“We would like to apologise for the confusion in perception and will be more sensitive in the choice of clothing for our presenters in the future.”

K. Krishnamoorthy, RTM’s director of public relations division, said that as a government agency, they were sensitive towards cultural and racial matters.

“While we welcome criticism, it must be done in a proper manner. Let it be a constructive criticism and not delivered in a rude way, ” he said.

There had been negative comments on social media on the matter but many netizens later acknowledged that the outfit was meant for men, citing that characters in films such as Ip Man and Once Upon A Time In China had worn similar outfits.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Institute of Chinese Studies Assoc Prof Dr Khor Boon Eng explained that the newscaster had worn what was also known as a ma gua (horse jacket).

It was common among men and women during the Qing dynasty, he said.

“While there are many different cuttings of ma gua for women, there are commonly two cuttings for men, which is da jin (large flap) and dui jin (double flap).

“From the picture, it is clear that the newscaster was wearing the large flap ma gua for men.

“There is nothing wrong with the outfit and it is certainly not for women, ” he said.

Prof Khor noted that ma gua was available in both short and long versions and the large flap ma gua had opening and buttons on the right side at the chest level.

“Double flap ma gua has vertical opening and buttons in the middle.

“Ma gua is a common daily wear among Manchurian men and women, ” he said, adding that since the Qing dynasty ruled for over 300 years until 1911, their clothing culture was still followed today.

Prof Khor said that ma gua should not be confused as cheongsam, which literally means “long clothes” in Cantonese.

“Ma gua cannot be referred as cheongsam because it is available in both long and short versions.

“Qipao is considered a kind of cheongsam because it is traditionally worn from the neck to the feet, ” he added.

Prof Khor lauded RTM’s effort in donning their newscasters in traditional outfits to mark the festive season.

“This is a good practice in promoting harmony and inclusiveness.

“I must say they also chose the right colour that suits the festive season well because red portrays happiness, prosperity and luck, ” he said.

Tinot7 · Post time 18-2-2021 10:55 AM

Mamat ni tak sesuai pakai material tu la..

kakakko · Post time 18-2-2021 10:57 AM

cutting sangatlah tak sesuai untuk body builder camni. hahahaha. btw I ada tengok berita jam berapa entah hari CNY . TV3.. News presenter lelaki tu punya baju besarnya lah. Not sure lah kot badan dia besar so menampakkan baju tu lagilah besar.