Police Explain Why Accident Victim Was Asked To Change Her Skirt Before She Could Lodge A Report

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.

A woman and her daughter were denied entry to the Jasin district police headquarters in Melaka on Monday, 8 December, because their attire did not comply with the government's dress code, delaying them from lodging a police report after a road accident

The woman, 56, said she and her daughter, in her 20s, were wearing skirts that fell above the knee, according to Sinchew Daily.

When she requested an exception due to the urgency of the accident, officers told her she would need to purchase long trousers before being allowed inside.

"I told the officer that we needed to lodge a report because of the accident and requested an exception," she was quoted as saying.

"But he said if he let us in, he would be scolded, and then told me to go to a nearby mall to buy long pants."

The pair then went to a nearby mall, bought trousers, and returned to the station, where they were finally allowed to file their report, according to China Press.

The accident occurred around 2pm along the North–South Expressway near Batu Pahat, Johor, when the woman's car was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a man with his wife and two young children onboard.

Both parties were directed to the Jasin district police headquarters to lodge reports.

Explaining the situation, Melaka police chief DCP Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the incident occurred around 5pm, when the mother and daughter came to lodge a report following the accident

"The attending officers at the Jasin district police headquarters acted based on the public service customer attire guidelines issued by the government on 1 December 2020," he said in a statement.

"They suggested that the two women return and change into attire that complied with these guidelines, as their clothing did not meet the government's requirements for entering official premises."

He added that the pair were eventually allowed to file their report after changing into longer trousers.

"While citizens visiting police stations are required to observe the dress code, in urgent or time-sensitive situations, discretion is exercised," he said.

"The mother and daughter were able to lodge their report without further issue."

Dzulkhairi also urged the public not to speculate about the incident.

"The Royal Malaysia Police strengthens its commitment to providing the best service to the community based on the supremacy of the law," he said.

"The police have received and investigated the report filed by the woman on the same day. Members of the public are advised to understand and comply with the attire guidelines when visiting government premises," he reiterated.

However, the incident has drawn criticism from government leaders

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said that "denying a person the right to file a police report because of how they are dressed is not just an abuse of authority but is also obstruction of justice".

"The immediate and primary focus of the police officer on duty should have been to assist the victims in recording the details of the incident, not turning them away," he said in a statement.

"People don't dress up in anticipation of crime. What matters is the urgency of the incident, not the clothing of those seeking help," he added.

Gobind said he would raise the matter with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and push for a review of all SOPs that restrict access to police stations, stressing that such incidents must not recur.

Meanwhile, Kota Melaka member of parliament (MP) Khoo Poay Tiong called the episode "an example of excessive bureaucracy".

"I am shocked and disappointed by the incident," he said.

He reminded officers that Saifuddin had already stated in 2023 that the police must accept reports from the public, "regardless of what the person is wearing".

Khoo questioned whether victims of robbery or trauma would also face clothing scrutiny before being allowed to report a case.

He added he plans to table amendments in Parliament to clarify dress-code guidelines and exempt all frontline counter services, particularly police reporting and emergency assistance, from such requirements.

UPDATE:

Govt Says Dress Code Rules At Public Service Counters & Offices May Be Relaxed For Emergencies