PENANG: Dressed in traditional Baju Melayu with a songkok, a DAP assemblyman stole the show at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Penang state legislative assembly on 29 August.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng is the only Chinese state assemblyman in traditional Malay costume while the other non-Malay assemblymen were dressed in western suits when taking their oaths.

Woo later posted on Facebook to explain why he was dressed in traditional Malay outfit.

“Wearing Baju Melayu, I was sworn in as the state assemblyman to remind myself that unity in diversity is our strength of multiracial society. Baju Melayu is also national attire.

“Building a harmonious society begins with me and with us.

“We have to respect and appreciate the various ways of life in multiracial society. We respect and love fellow Malaysians from different races.

“We defend racial harmony and develop social resilience against elements that want to divide and break us.

“As leaders, it is our responsibility to lead towards a better future. We owe this to ourselves.

“The future of Malaysia begins with us. We do this for the youth,” he said in a video clip uploaded on Facebook.