Syerleena, Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera, expressed deep concern over the incident where a 56-year-old woman was denied entry to the Alor Gajah Police Headquarters in Melaka for wearing a knee-length skirt, criticizing the move as ‘moral policing’ that severely deviates from the police’s mission of ensuring public safety.
In a statement on Wednesday, Syerleena pointed out that the woman, after being involved in a car accident, went to the police station to file a report but was turned away for not complying with the ‘government premises dress code’. She was forced to buy long pants from a nearby mall before being allowed to enter. The police later explained that, in non-emergency situations, the public must observe dress regulations.
Syerleena stated that such explanations completely ignore the mental and physical condition of accident victims. “After an accident, the person involved needs immediate police assistance, not to be forced to deal with clothing requirements.”
“This is a matter of public safety, not one of fashion. Focusing on skirt length instead of the victim’s safety and rights is unprofessional and amounts to a form of moral policing.”
She noted that similar incidents of being denied entry into government premises over skirt length, sleeve length, or footwear occur frequently. Such situations not only humiliate the public but also contravene the equal rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.
She also called on the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Royal Malaysia Police to immediately issue clear directives that any member of the public involved in an accident, crime, or any safety-related matter should be allowed into police stations as long as they are dressed in attire deemed appropriate for everyday situations, and should not be obstructed by dress codes.
“Relevant notices must be comprehensively reviewed to prevent guidelines from being interpreted as tools for victim shaming, and to ensure that such guidelines are centered on dignity, practicality, and non-discrimination.”
She further urged for enhanced gender awareness and trauma-sensitive training for law enforcement officers, especially when women, elderly, or vulnerable groups file police reports while in a fragile state, stressing that the police should respond with empathy and professionalism.
She bluntly stated that this kind of ‘moral policing disguised as a dress code’ not only wastes police resources but also undermines public trust, ultimately eroding people’s courage and willingness to seek legal assistance.
Syerleena emphasized that the public has the right to expect fairness and protection when seeking help at the police station, not to be judged based on their attire.