SSM regrets customer's inconvenience but stands by dress code

KUALA LUMPUR: The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) expresses its regret after a woman was barred entry to its office in Ipoh due to “inappropriate dressing” but stands by its dress code.

SSM said the dress code for customers at its services counter had been adopted for a long time and considers all levels of society.

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"On March 10, the customer was assisted by SSM officers and completed her transaction at 3.20pm the same day," the commission said in the statement on Saturday (March 11).

The commission continued by saying that it welcomed suggestions for enhancing customer service.

On Friday (March 10), Khor Hooi Chin, 41, from Pantai Remis, whose dress length was slightly above her knees, was denied entry into the building by a staff member who informed her that her attire failed to comply with the agency’s dress code.

In a video she posted, the woman could be heard asking the male staff member which part of her attire was not presentable.

The man then continued to say that he could not let her go to the offices on the upper floors as her dress did not follow the guidelines.

When contacted, Khor said she was at the building at 11am but was stopped by the guard.

She then asked to speak to a staff member, who came to tell her that she was not dressed according to the rules.

“I then had to leave the premises and go to a mall to buy a longer skirt with my original dress.

“After doing all that, I had to wait until 2.45 pm for the office to reopen,” she added.

Khor maintained that there was nothing inappropriate about her outfit, which was officewear.

“This is not the first time such a case has happened. We hear of it all the time, but nothing is done.

“In my case, I travelled from far away and wasted the entire day before getting my work done,” said a frustrated Khor.