Stop moral policing at govt offices, says Kula

MORAL policing related to dress codes at government offices has to stop, says a senior government backbencher.

The Chief Secretary to the Government should also issue civil servants updated instructions on the dress code at government offices, police station and hospitals, said M. Kulasegaran (PH-Ipoh Barat).

“There have been cases where people were stopped from lodging a report at the police station or even from getting (medical) treatment because of what they wore.

“I feel this is unacceptable in any multiracial country,” Kulasegaran told the Dewan Rakyat during committee stage debate of Budget 2023.

On March 10, The Star reported that a woman known as Khor Hooi Chin, 41, whose hemline was slightly above her knees, was denied entry into a government building by a staff member who told her that her attire did not comply with the dress code.

There have also been several other recent cases of women being denied entry to hospitals, police stations and government offices due to their attire.

“I hope a guideline will be issued to all to put an end to this moral policing,” Kulasegaran said.