THE dispute over a woman being denied entry to a police station to file a report following a car accident remains unresolved, despite clarification that the dress code for visitors to police stations is based on directives from the Government’s Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
Netizens continue to voice their confusion regarding the dress code and are calling on authorities to offer gowns or sarongs for those not meeting the dress code to easily enter police stations.
In a statement today, the police confirmed that there is a dress code for the public at police stations.
“We have to uphold it as a police station is a government building and installation. However, it (the dress code) can be relaxed based on the type of emergency faced by the complainant.
“I was informed that the complainant was wearing shorts and she was advised by police personnel to wear appropriate attire. Maybe there was a misunderstanding during the incident. We must always wear appropriate attire when going to government buildings,” Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said in a statement.
According to Acryl Sani, he only time exceptions are made are when it involves a “life or death” emergency.
“Government offices are where people do business. In an emergency, we can relax the directive. We have to see what kind of emergency it is.
“Those that involve life or death, we can give a little leeway,” he said in the statement.
However, netizens responded by saying, the dress code is still confusing and that in emergencies, people must be allowed in the stations whether they follow the dress code or not.
User @AfralAbdullah said:
How about police stations providing sarungs (for men & women) until general/public awareness is achieved?.
— 🅰🅵🆁🅰🅻 (@AfralAbdullah) February 4, 2023
Another user @guessfirst simply posted a picture showing a police chief meeting with officers in khaki shorts:
— PakArif (@guessfirst) February 4, 2023
User @chiafook2013 wrote:
If you don’t allow entry to make a report , how will you know whether it’s a “life or death” emergency!? Join a fashion house if you want to be the fashion police, please lah!
— CFLIM (@chiafook2013) February 4, 2023
Finally, @MdmRoseNor said: — Feb 4, 2023
Too many ridiculous short shorts but unfortunate event knows no place or time. Such bad events aren’t given us any signal hence, pls @PDRMsia provide gown at each station to facilitate the public. @MKNJPM @KDNPUTRAJAYA pic.twitter.com/w7LOTMY8dd
— Rosemawati Nor Mohamed (Rose Abraham) (@MdmRoseNor) February 4, 2023
Main photo credit: AskLegal