A woman attempting to file a report after a traffic accident was prevented from entering the Jasin police headquarters in Melaka due to not meeting the dress code, according to police statements.
Melaka police chief Deputy Commissioner Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said an internal review was conducted after the issue was highlighted. He confirmed that the woman was initially denied entry because her attire did not comply with the government's dress code for public premises.
He said the woman and her daughter arrived around 5pm on Monday to file a report after their accident, in which no one was injured. The officer on duty instructed them to return with more appropriate clothing. One of the women came back at about 5.40pm and was then allowed to proceed once her attire met the requirements.
Dzulkhairi reminded the public that the dress code applies except during emergencies or situations requiring immediate attention.
The woman later told media that she and her daughter were travelling from Johor to Kuala Lumpur when their car was hit from behind. She said they stopped at the Jasin police headquarters to report the incident but were denied entry because their skirts were above the knee. She claimed she was told to buy trousers before she could enter, which she did at a nearby mall.
In a separate statement, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said attire should not prevent anyone from lodging a police report. He urged the inspector general of police to issue clear instructions ensuring no one is denied the right to report an accident or crime due to clothing. He noted that people do not anticipate crime and therefore should not be judged on their attire when seeking help.
Gobind said he would bring the matter to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and call for a review of guidelines that may restrict public access to police stations. He stressed that police stations must remain accessible at all times and that such incidents should not be repeated.
The report was first published by The Star.
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