KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Datuk Seri Dr King Lim Chin Fui has welcomed the government’s decision to instruct the Chief Secretary to the Government to review the 2020 circular on dress code in public premises, with specific exemptions and improvements for frontline service agencies, including police stations, hospitals and clinics, and fire stations.
He described the move as a timely and correct step which shows that the government is prepared to listen to public feedback and place people’s safety and right to lodge police reports above technical issues of attire.
“From the perspective of crime prevention and public safety, we must remember that people who walk into a police station or frontline service counter are often in a state of distress, shock or trauma. They are not attending a formal ceremony, they are seeking help,” he said.
“Procedures can be discussed, etiquette can be taught, but life and safety must never be delayed or denied because of skirt length or sleeve length. The right to lodge a report and seek protection in reasonable circumstances should not be compromised by dress code technicalities,” he stressed.
Datuk Seri Dr King said that recent incidents which drew public attention clearly demonstrate the risk of placing “compliance with dress code” above “whether a victim needs urgent assistance”.
“This can lead to delays in lodging reports, loss of evidence and, in some cases, victims may simply give up on reporting altogether. In the long run, this weakens society’s overall crime prevention capability and erodes public trust in law enforcement,” he said.
He pointed out that many of those who seek help at police stations include traffic accident victims, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as well as victims of robbery, harassment and other crimes.
“These individuals are often under extreme emotional and psychological pressure. If at that point they are told to turn back and change clothes because their attire is ‘not acceptable’, it does not only cause secondary victimisation but may also discourage them from ever coming back to file a report,” he added.
“In practical terms of crime prevention, what we want to see is this: a police station must always be an open and safe door for the rakyat, not an additional barrier that makes victims feel ashamed, judged or unwelcome,” he said.
On behalf of the MCPF, he proposed the government should nationwide, unified and detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), clearly state that in cases involving crime reporting, emergency assistance, victims of violence and sexual offences, and similar situations, frontline agencies must not refuse service solely on the basis of attire. This will ensure consistent implementation across the country.
He also proposed to implement transparent complaint and monitoring mechanism, clearly inform the public of available channels to lodge complaints if they are refused service or reporting due to attire, and how such complaints will be investigated and resolved. This will enhance transparency and public confidence in the system.
Datuk Seri Dr King stressed that MCPF’s consistent stand is to support any reforms that can improve public safety, strengthen crime prevention and increase trust in law enforcement, without politicising the issue.
“We welcome the Cabinet’s and the Chief Secretary’s willingness to review the dress code circular, and we support the government’s focus on the rakyat’s safety and their right to report crimes. The key now is how to translate this policy intent into practical, frontline improvements that are implementable, enforceable and genuinely felt by the people,” he said.
Dato’ Sri Dr. King Lim Chin Fui
Vice-Chairman
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF)
