Should police enforce dress codes for complainants?

Question

Accepted Answer

Police Should Not Enforce Dress Codes for Complainants, Says Suaram

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) urges the government to uphold its 2015 parliamentary stance that there is no dress code for the public interacting with government departments and agencies. The human rights group advocates for an official government statement to clarify this policy and ensure its consistent application across all public sector staff, including the Royal Malaysia Police. This position is grounded in the principle of equality before the law, as enshrined in Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution.
Upholding the 2015 Parliamentary Position

Suaram is calling on the current administration to maintain the position articulated in Parliament in 2015 by Law and Institutions Reform Minister Datuk Sri Azalina Othman. At that time, it was stated that the public is not subject to a dress code when engaging with government departments and agencies. Suaram's executive director, Sevan Doraisamy, emphasized the need for the government to issue a formal statement reinforcing this policy to prevent confusion and ensure adherence.
Prioritising Assistance Over Appearance

Sevan Doraisamy highlighted that individuals approaching police stations to lodge reports are seeking immediate help or protection. He argued that police officers should prioritise the reception of reports and the subsequent investigation process, rather than making judgments based on a complainant's attire or behaviour. The police's role, according to Suaram, is to assist those in need, not to engage in moral policing or discriminate against complainants or victims based on their appearance.
Constitutional Rights and Equality

Preventing individuals from entering police stations due to their clothing choices infringes upon the fundamental rights of Malaysians and violates the principle of equality guaranteed by Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution. This article stipulates that all individuals are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection under it. Suaram questions the rationale behind conditional access to police services, particularly when it potentially delays justice or denies individuals the right to report incidents.
Disagreement with Emergency-Based Exemptions

Suaram disagrees with the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani's assertion that dress code relaxations at police stations are permissible only in emergencies and limited to "life and death" situations. The group contends that the police have a responsibility to accept all reports unconditionally. The criteria for assessing a "life or death" scenario, as suggested by the Inspector-General, is seen as an arbitrary and problematic basis for determining who can access police assistance.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Should police enforce dress codes for complainants?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends