Tell cops to accept reports regardless of attire, MCA urges Saifuddin
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has been urged to instruct the police to accept any reports lodged, irrespective of the garment worn by the complainants.
Wanita MCA chief Wong You Fong also called on the police to exercise common sense and use their discretion in times of emergency.
Wong stressed that it was absurd for cops to expect the public to locate an outfit that conforms to the dress code in cases of emergencies such as the death of a family member, victims being pursued by triads and those involved in domestic violence or rape.
“Clearly, there is a sense of urgency and emergency when individuals file a police report as they seek the police’s assistance, services and intervention to investigate a matter and if necessary, to apprehend the perpetrator and deliver justice,” she said in a statement today.
“For victims of domestic violence, rape, grievous assault or deliberate arson, if they are drenched in blood or clad in pyjamas or have been stripped of their clothing, and rush to the police station for help and protection, would those victims be expected to return home, bathe first (and wash away all evidence?), clean and groom themselves before lodging a police report?” she asked.
Pointing out that the main feature of the government is inclusivity and compassion, Wong reiterated calls for Saifuddin to look into the matter, saying that confidence in enforcement agencies is instilled when they become people-friendly.
Wanita MCA chief Wong You Fong
“Wanita MCA also urges the police to heed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said’s clarification back in 2015, where she said that there was no dress code for the public when dealing with government departments and agencies.
“Be guardians of security instead of moral policing,” she stated.
Wong said this after a woman who wanted to lodge a police report was barred from entering the Kajang district police headquarters in Selangor because she was wearing shorts.
Kajang police district chief Mohd Zaid Hassan said the sentry personnel advised the woman to change her outfit first in keeping with "the dress codes for dealings in government premises".
The woman told FMT that she was wearing "Bermuda shorts that covered (her) knees", contradicting Zaid's statement that her shorts only came down to her thighs.
She also told the news portal that she asked for the badge number of the police personnel who denied her entry because she wanted to lodge a complaint, but he refused to give it.
The woman added that she got into an accident with a truck near her home in Batu Sembilan, Cheras and had gone to the Batu Sembilan police station to lodge a report.
“Wanita MCA also urges the police to heed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said’s clarification back in 2015, where she said that there was no dress code for the public when dealing with government departments and agencies.
“Be guardians of security instead of moral policing,” she stated.
Wong said this after a woman who wanted to lodge a police report was barred from entering the Kajang district police headquarters in Selangor because she was wearing shorts.
Kajang police district chief Mohd Zaid Hassan said the sentry personnel advised the woman to change her outfit first in keeping with "the dress codes for dealings in government premises".
The woman told FMT that she was wearing "Bermuda shorts that covered (her) knees", contradicting Zaid's statement that her shorts only came down to her thighs.
She also told the news portal that she asked for the badge number of the police personnel who denied her entry because she wanted to lodge a complaint, but he refused to give it.
The woman added that she got into an accident with a truck near her home in Batu Sembilan, Cheras and had gone to the Batu Sembilan police station to lodge a report.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail
However, she was advised to go to the Kajang district police headquarters instead.
She mentioned that she was not denied entry at the Batu Sembilan station despite wearing the same attire.
Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan was quoted as saying by FMT that the police cannot stop anyone from lodging a report just because of the complainant’s choice of attire.
He said the police should not be “chasing” away those who want to lodge a report as it is their duty to help the public.
“If it is an emergency, it doesn’t matter what she wears. She is a victim, so the police have to allow her to make a report,” he added.
However, she was advised to go to the Kajang district police headquarters instead.
She mentioned that she was not denied entry at the Batu Sembilan station despite wearing the same attire.
Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan was quoted as saying by FMT that the police cannot stop anyone from lodging a report just because of the complainant’s choice of attire.
He said the police should not be “chasing” away those who want to lodge a report as it is their duty to help the public.
“If it is an emergency, it doesn’t matter what she wears. She is a victim, so the police have to allow her to make a report,” he added.
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