Melaka ADUN Slams Police Dress Code After Accident Victim Allegedly Turned Away for Wearing Skirt
A Melaka state assemblyperson has spoken out after an accident victim was allegedly denied entry at a police station because of her attire, sparking renewed debate over dress code enforcement during emergencies.
Melaka State Executive Councillor for Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, who is also the ADUN for Kesidang, highlighted the issue publicly after learning that a woman was reportedly asked to change her clothing before being allowed to lodge a police report. The incident has since attracted public attention, with many questioning whether rigid dress guidelines should apply in urgent situations.
According to accounts circulating online, the case involved a middle-aged woman who had just been in a road accident and was seeking assistance from the authorities. Instead of being attended to immediately, she was allegedly instructed to leave the premises due to her outfit, which included a skirt.
The ADUN took to social media to question the logic behind enforcing dress codes at police stations and hospitals when members of the public are dealing with emergencies. He stressed that such rules, while meant to uphold decorum, should not create unnecessary hardship or delay for individuals in distress.
DRESS CODE RULES QUESTIONED DURING EMERGENCIES
In his statement, the assemblyperson said it was unreasonable to expect members of the public to prioritise clothing requirements when facing urgent or stressful situations. He revealed that he had already raised the matter with the Melaka police leadership and was informed that existing guidelines could be relaxed in genuine emergency cases.
He also said he planned to formally bring the issue up at the Melaka State Executive Council meeting, signalling that the matter could be reviewed at a policy level. The aim, he explained, is to prevent similar incidents from happening again and to ensure that public services remain accessible when people need help the most.
The case reportedly took place at the Jasin District Police Headquarters. The woman involved was said to have travelled from Johor towards Kuala Lumpur when her car was rear-ended along the North–South Expressway. Seeking to file a report, she went to the nearest police station but was allegedly told she could not proceed due to her attire.
LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY TROUSERS
After being turned away, the woman reportedly went to a nearby shopping mall to purchase a pair of trousers before returning to the police station. Only then was she allowed to enter and lodge her report. She later shared that she had pleaded for an exception to be made, explaining that she had just been involved in an accident, but was told that officers would get into trouble if the rule was not followed.
The Melaka police chief later confirmed that the incident had taken place and said that while dress code guidelines exist for public counters, flexibility should be exercised in cases involving emergencies or situations requiring immediate action. He also urged the public not to speculate excessively and to understand the purpose of such guidelines.
Nonetheless, the incident has fuelled public discussion across social media, with many Malaysians expressing concern over how frontline services balance rules with compassion. Some argued that clearer instructions should be given to officers on when discretion can be applied, especially in cases involving accidents, injuries, or vulnerable individuals.
For many observers, the case serves as a reminder that public institutions must ensure their procedures do not unintentionally add stress to people already dealing with difficult circumstances. Whether changes will be made remains to be seen, but the incident has clearly struck a nerve nationwide.