It’s an emergency! Common sense must prevail - Home Minister must instruct all police stations to accept all police reports irrespective of attire worn

First and foremost, Wanita MCA acknowledges the services and sacrifices rendered by the Royal Malaysia Police force (PDRM) in protecting society against criminals including cyber criminals, terrorists and even forsaking their lives in the line of duty. We also note the progress being implemented in particular to protect women and child victims of sexual assaults and abuse and domestic violence.

Nevertheless, we also urge PDRM to exercise plain common sense especially when members of the public arrive at any police station to lodge a police report. 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

While PDRM may expect the public to be decently attired when lodging reports for civil matters, ie death of a family member due to old age or prolonged ill health, common sense and discretion must prevail in times of emergency.

If any victim is being pursued by triads or would-be abductors and rush to a police station for help, surely, the victim would not be expected to exit the police station and locate an outfit which conforms to the dress code.

Likewise, 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 likewise expected to return home, take a  shower first (and water away all evidence?), clean and groom themselves before steadying themselves to lodge a report at a police station?

Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan has clarified a valid point when he said that PDRM should not be “chasing” away those who want to lodge a report as it was their duty to help the public.  The retired IGP had also emphasised that “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.” (Free Malaysia Today, 1 Feb 2023)

As a main feature of the Unity Government is inclusiveness and compassion, Wanita MCA urges the new Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution bin Ismail to look into the matter and remind and instruct all police stations to accept any police reports lodged irrespective of garment worn. More confidence is gained with enforcement agencies when they become people-friendly/oriented, guardians of security instead of moral policing.

The women’s wing of MCA also urges PDRM to heed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Dato’ Seri Azalina Othman clarification way back in 2015 when as the Minister in the PM’s Department then, she informed that there was no dress code for the public when dealing with government departments and agencies.

-MCA Online-