PUTRAJAYA – The ministry will not compromise with any police officers that try to prevent the public from lodging reports at its premises, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Speaking to reporters, the senator, however, reiterated that the public would also have to abide by the clothing etiquette that are in place when dealing at government premises.
“We have closed the episode on the issue, which means that we do not agree with the actions of the (police) officer.
“(That said) we will not compromise on the readiness of the police to reject someone from lodging a report.
“However, at the same time, I feel that the public should be aware of the element of decency when dealing (with government servants),” he said following the ministry’s media engagement programme, last night.
During his speech earlier, he highlighted that the police had received 3.5 million reports lodged at its premises nationwide throughout last year.
Saifuddin’s comments come after it was reported that a young woman who attempted to lodge a report was recently denied access to the police station in Kajang, as her skirt was deemed unsuitable by a low-ranking officer due to its length above her knees.
The dress code issue was widely debated online after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani was quoted as saying that the relaxation of the dress code in police stations is only allowed in emergencies and is limited to “life-and-death” situations.
Acryl Sani said police stations fell under the category of government offices, adding that the chief secretary to the government had made clear the types of clothes that can and cannot be worn in a directive.
He insisted that the rules must be followed, citing “kesopanan dan kesusilaan” (courtesy and morality) – the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara – as the basis.
Acryl Sani later reportedly commented on the incident as a “misunderstanding between the woman and the police officer.”
Suara Rakyat Malaysia has since called on the government to maintain its position once made in Parliament in 2015 that there is no dress code for the public when dealing with government departments and agencies. – The Vibes, February 16, 2023
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