Woman denied entry to M'sia government building over 'inappropriate' outfit
In recent days, two other women had also been barred from government buildings due to their attire
A 60-year-old businesswoman was stunned when she was denied access to an elevator at the Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG) because she was dressed "inappropriately".
The Star reported that the woman, whose surname is Tan, described wearing a long pastel yellow dress extending to her mid-calf during her meeting with the council to discuss business-licence issues around 11am on Wednesday (15 February).
She said a female staff member at the front counter told her to head to the second floor to meet an official regarding her inquiry. She was also told to obtain a visitor's pass from the security guard.
"I was surprised when the security guard refused to give me a pass, saying that my dress was not long enough to head to the upper levels of the building," Tan told The Star.
"I went back to the front counter and related the issue to the female staff as I did not want to leave without completing the errand."
The female staff told Tan to take the stairs to avoid the security guard. She followed the staff's instructions because she did not want to create a scene as her husband was waiting for her.
As a frequent visitor to government offices, Tan said she is familiar with the dress code but had never encountered such an issue before.
Kampar hospital in Perak denied entry to a young woman wearing shorts
The latest case follows on the heels of two other recent Malaysian cases in which women was barred from government buildings due to their dress code.
Nanyang Siang Pau reported that a Malaysian woman wearing shorts was turned away from the emergency room at Kampar Hospital, Perak, on Monday (13 February).
According to the news outlet, the 21-year-old woman was in severe stomach pain, affecting her ability to walk.
Upon reaching the hospital, a medical assistant pointed out that it was impolite for her to wear shorts and that she had to change into long pants before entering.
In a statement on its Facebook page on Wednesday, the hospital director Dr Khairul Azha Azam said that every patient seeking treatment would be attended to regardless of circumstances, especially during emergencies.
He said, "The hospital has reprimanded the officer involved in the incident to ensure this does not happen again. Kampar Hospital never gave orders or denied patients who did not adhere to our dress code."
Malaysia's Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa also said in a tweet on Wednesday that treatment should be offered to all patients. "I would like to emphasise that, in principle, every patient should be given treatment regardless of race, ethnicity or dress code," she said.
Woman in bermuda shorts turned away at police station
Two weeks before the hospital incident, another woman was denied entry to Kajang police station in Selangor because she was wearing shorts.
Free Malaysia Today reported the woman had wanted to lodge a police report following a car accident. However, when the officer saw what she was wearing, she was told to leave unless she changed her clothes.
The woman had claimed to be wearing bermuda shorts that covered her knees, but the officer allegedly refused to listen to her argument and told her that even ministers would not be permitted entry if they wore inappropriate clothing. The woman was allowed entry only after she called her sister to bring a pair of long pants.
New Straits Times reported that Malaysia's Home Ministeri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has told police that they must take reports from the public, regardless of how they are dressed. He said his ministry does not condone the Kajang incident.
"There should no compromise on the (police's) readiness to accept reports (from the public). Last year, 3.5 million reports were lodged at police stations nationwide," he added
Nonetheless, he reminded the public to dress modestly when entering government buildings.
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