PUTRAJAYA must take action against public servants who refuse to serve people who do not adhere to dress codes, said Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.

He said there is no law that allows the group to decide what must be worn by members of the public before rendering government services.

“If ministers’ regulations are illegal and void, if they are not granted such powers, then department heads’ rules requiring the public to adhere to dress codes are also illegal and void,” he said in a statement today.

“Such department heads have clearly breached the law and action must be taken against them.”

This is different from school uniforms worn by schoolgoing children, he added.

“Uniforms for associations and private organisations are also different as the members have agreed to the rules governing them.”

The DAP lawmaker urged Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali to take immediate action against department heads who act outside their powers.

“Civil servants must be reminded that their salaries are paid by the public. They are accountable to the public.

“A farmer in a singlet and shorts and an Orang Asli in traditional clothing are entitled to be served by civil servants.

“A poor person who has no means to buy decent attire is also entitled to be served by civil servants.

“Unless a person is a public nuisance, which is an offence under the penal code, public service must be rendered to all.

“Even if a person is a public nuisance, the authority to act against that person lies with police and not other civil servants.”

Though government offices officially have no dress code for the public, certain departments have refused to allow people deemed “inappropriately” attired to enter the premises.

The latest case involved a woman who was denied entry into Wisma Persekutuan in Johor Baru, Johor, by security guards who said her outfit was “inappropriate”.

Leni Fernandez, an administrative clerk, wore a long-sleeved dress that ended 7cm below her knees and closed-toe shoes, but a security guard said her attire was “indecent and provocative”. – May 20, 2022.