Malaysian police must accept reports without conditions, says Home Minister
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On Dec 8, two women were stopped from entering a police station because of their attire.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY
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PUTRAJAYA – The primary duty of the police is to accept reports from the public, regardless of circumstances or background, including the complainant’s attire, says Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said officers must ensure that all reports are taken, even if the person lodging the report is deemed to be dressed inappropriately
“Proper attire is something we uphold, but the report must still be accepted. There is no excuse to reject a report solely because of clothing,” he said at the ministry’s monthly assembly on Dec 11.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin added that existing circulars serve only as a guide and should not be used to prevent citizens from filing reports, including in emergencies such as accidents.
“If an accident occurs, officers must take the report immediately. There is no compromise. I have discussed this in the Cabinet recently,” he said.
He added that this is to ensure the public does not feel hindered or hesitant when seeking assistance and action from the authorities.
It was reported previously that a woman who wanted to lodge a report after a traffic accident was barred from entering the Jasin district police headquarters because of a dress code violation.
Melaka police chief Deputy Commisioner Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said an internal inquiry was held after the matter was brought to light.
Datuk Dzulkhairi said two women arrived at about 5pm on Dec 8 to lodge a report after being involved in an accident in which neither was injured.
The officer on duty requested that they go back and change into more suitable attire first and after doing so, the complainant was allowed to proceed with lodging the report, he said.
The woman involved was quoted by a media outlet as saying that she and her daughter were on their way to Kuala Lumpur from Johor when their car was hit from behind at KM174.8 of the North-South Expressway.
She said they went to lodge a report but were barred from entering because their skirts ended above the knee.
The woman said she pleaded for an exception but was told to buy pants, which she did at a nearby mall.
Separately, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the police should not deny anyone the right to lodge a report or report an incident based on their attire.
Mr Gobind urged the Inspector-General of Police to issue a clear directive to all police stations nationwide, ensuring that no victim or complainant seeking to report an accident or crime is denied their rights based on clothing.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar also said that leeway pertaining to the dress code at government counters is given in emergencies and exceptional circumstances. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
