YOURSAY | Just get rid of dress code

YOURSAY | ‘Public servants are paid to serve and not to act as fashion consultants.’

After another dress code incident, N Sembilan exco moots 'video reminders'

Where do we begin: Negeri Sembilan state executive councillor Nicole Tan, I do not fully agree with your views. To me, as long as the clothing is not exposing any of the private parts, it is fine.

After all, business is done over the counter and no part of the legs can be seen by the officer/staff handling the job. Sometimes I just wonder why government servants (bosses) are so particular about dress code whilst their work ethic is questionable.

Take for example a security guard's main function is to ensure the security of the place he works and not to ensure the legs are well covered. Don't tell me he is so easily aroused by looking at the exposed thigh above the knees.

The funny part is our roads are full of potholes and even mini swimming pools, and yet the authorities cannot see them. Let us live in a country with more freedom and not look out for land mines with every step we take.

Coward: Just scrap the dress code. No need for one in the first place. All these initiatives are going to fail. The idea is that the dress code has been perverted to do exactly the opposite.

It is meant to guarantee entrance if you do it, not at the discretion of anyone's sense of common sense. Instead, it has been used as the criterion to deny entry, without common sense at all. I am not saying that people need not dress up decently and respectfully, but the imposition of a dress code is not the correct solution.

Kilimanjaro: Tan is beating around the bush. She should be spending time on more important issues. The real problem is that none of those affected is inclined to take this matter to court. So Malaysians and the world may know that our courts have to deal with such trivial issues.

With an overwhelming number of Malays in civil service, it is now becoming a race issue. With the Putrajaya constituency falling into the hands of Perikatan Nasional, it is not surprising that these issues have started cropping more often.

All or most cite the directive of Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali who has all the time in the world to dwell on such matters. Decent dressing - "yes" but according to whose whims and fancies?

Not giving up on hope: I disagree with her view on sleeveless and knee-length clothes. The problem now is not misinterpretation by members of the public. It is the overzealousness of the security guards and the blatant encouragement of that by some little Napoleons who have a different agenda.

The past few incidents were where the women wore proper and decent, and yet were denied. Bermuda shorts for crying out loud and one had maxi pants! None of them was indecently dressed by any standards. Yet they were denied entry.

So Tan, please educate the guards and the little Napoleans first and stop this business of "giving in" all the time to people who have an agenda to make our country more "religious"!

Surprised to hear this from a DAP representative who now wants to preach to the public about moral policing and moral dress codes.

Kawak: Bigotry and racism are slowly creeping into the public service. While it is proper to dress decently, the strict enforcement of dress codes to comply with specific religious requirements is pure discrimination that has done out bigotry and racism.

Do they want non-Malays to comply with their dress code? Going forward in years to come they may enforce long sleeves and headscarves.

DPC: I understand the logic behind the dress code. However, it seems women are the target of enforcement of the code. Nothing wrong with the dress code as dress code implies respect.

How you dress is a reflection of who you are and how the world ought to perceive you. It is just the enforcement that shows sexism.

Ini gila punya kerja: In the dress code poster above men must wear long pants. What's wrong with men wearing khaki short pants above the knee? What's so rude about these khaki pants? Are we not living in a tropical country?

Even the “mata mata” (police) after the British days wear khaki pants, only that they are very loose and airy. Our honourable prime minister has even done away with ties in the Parliament.

Actually, I believe the real problem was the instructions given to security guards, they just followed the rules and were not given any proper guidance to them. What I am saying is the heads of departments are just lazy and sitting in the corner office scrolling the computer over a cup of teh tarik.

MarioT: When a distraught person after an accident or domestic violence comes to the police station to make a report and is turned away due to some perceived idea of indecent dressing, then I would consider it as inhumane behaviour devoid of human sympathy and compassion.

Similarly, a sick person seeking perhaps some urgent treatment is turned away owing to a dress code issue, which also reflects a total disregard for common decency and sympathetic human feelings. What is important here is to provide immediate urgent service rather than how the person is dressed.

Too many confusing guidelines given by those in authority to perhaps reflect their personal views about what is right and wrong becomes an issue of great distress and displeasure. Common sense should be allowed to prevail in a civilised society bearing in mind our diversity.

BlueBison5210: I think we should have a video done and sent to all the government offices to remind all civil servants that they are there to serve and not lord over the public.

12345678: No need for videos. Serve all taxpayers regardless of attire. Public servants are paid to serve and not to act as fashion consultants.

Does your helper, gardener or driver at home refuse to sweep the floor, water the plant and stop driving if your attire is not to their liking?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.