THE federal unity government has been told to make its policy resoundingly clear on dress codes for people entering essential and strategic departments such as public hospitals, police stations, and immigration offices.
This follows public outcry over how certain individuals were barred because they were clad in shorts or attire deemed inappropriate.
Lawyers for Justice co-founder S. Raveentharan said breaking a dress code was not defined in the Penal Code as an offence, hence the authorities needed to be careful when enforcing it.
“Sometimes they are allowed to enter, at times they are not,” said the former Batu Uban state assemblyman in an interview.
“This is vague and an abuse of power if the authorities are not clear and concise over the ruling. It is just a guideline and there must also be a level of discretion.”
Citing the declaration of the nation’s principles in the Rukun Negara, he stressed that dress codes worked both ways in terms of the public and those enforcing it.
He urged both the health and home ministers to come up with a clear-cut directive on dress codes in places such as police stations and hospitals.
He added that it must be consistent and applicable to everyone entering government departments.
He was remarking on an incident earlier this week where retired Penang Island City Council engineer Lim Thean Heng, 72, was barred from entering the Seberang Jaya Hospital because he was clad in trousers that reached down to his knees.
Lim complained to the media about the matter and the Penang government has since expressed regret over the incident.
State Health Committee Executive Councillor Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said in a statement that the hospital had conducted a probe and found that the issue was caused by miscommunication between the security officer and the complainant.
“Further action will be taken to prevent this incident from recurring,” Gooi said.
“We should not allow this isolated incident to tarnish the reputation of our healthcare system, as all our medical personnel are working hard to ensure Penangites receive quality treatment.”
Seberang Jaya Hospital director Dr Saiful Azlan Sharif had reportedly said an investigation found that Lim was barred because of misunderstanding and miscommunication between him and the security guard.
He was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying the hospital would work with its security company to enhance training so its personnel would be more professional and communicate effectively when carrying out duties.
Saiful added that the hospital’s dress code had long been observed by government agencies and public hospitals, and that the then director-general of the Public Service Department, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, had clarified the matter on March 24, 2022.
Just three weeks before the Seberang Jaya Hospital incident, another man said he was turned away from district police headquarters for wearing shorts. He had wanted to report a theft.
Penang police chief Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said the police were investigating the matter and would take appropriate action.
Common sense, discretion needed
Raveentharan said security personnel at relevant government premises must be imbued with principles of morality and courtesy, he said.
“If wearing shorts is tantamount to morality, then enforce it uniformly. Remand suspects or prisoners must be clad in long pants when they enter the court room,” added the practising lawyer. “Here we have had drug suspects clad only in shorts facing trial.”
“What about those who suffer injuries from road mishaps and are rushed for treatment to the hospitals clad in shorts? Must they be clothed in long pants when seeking treatment?”
He also asked what would happen to someone wearing shorts who needed to urgently lodge a police report.
“Common sense must prevail. Our security personnel must be mature and be allowed to have discretion in dispensing their duty. If there is an emergency such as a need to lodge a police report fast, then allow it.”
The public must also cooperate and wear attire that is not deemed offensive, although formal shorts, but not sports attire, should be tolerated in this age of global warming, said Raveentharan. – The Vibes, December 15, 2023.
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