RTD apologises for making woman wear sarong

Suzanne G.L. Tan claims she was made to cover up by the JPJ when at one of its offices. – Facebook pic, June 9, 2015.

After being bashed for making a woman wear a sarong at one of its offices, the Road Transport Department (RTD) today issued an open apology to the woman.

The department expressed regret over the incident and said it was not part of its policy to provide clothing for customers, should their attire be deemed inappropriate.

“With reference to a recent Facebook posting by (the woman) pertaining to her visit to a RTD office, RTD would like to apologise to Ms Tan for the inconvenience caused.

“RTD would like to firmly state that there is no regulation indicating that visitors must be provided with a sarong.

"Clearly, this was an inconvenience to the visitor,” the department said in its apology, which was posted on its Twitter page earlier this afternoon.

RTD also said the department was also proactive in serving the public and providing pleasant and efficient service.

The department however still maintained that it had a dress code for all visitors like what was also practised in ministries and other government departments.

On its Twitter page @JPJ_Malaysia, the department posted details on the advised dress code for visitors.

According to the information, visitors are advised to dress appropriately in collared shirts, skirts long enough to cover the knees, long pants and wearing shoes when conducting business at government premises.

It stated that revealing and improper clothes like skirts with the hems above the knees, shorts, sleeveless shirts, tight skirts and slippers were not allowed.

Those deemed inappropriately dressed would not be entertained.

Today, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai also reportedly said RTD did not have a “sarong” policy, and the incident would be investigated immediately and action would be taken.

The Star Online reported that Liow also expressed regret that the issue had taken place.

“There is no such thing as a 'sarong' policy. We should not impose unnecessary dress code guidelines on the public,” said Liow in a post on his official Facebook page on today.

He also said there was an immediate need to review the existing guidelines.

The department drew flak on social media yesterday after the woman, Suzanna G. L. Tan said on her Facebook page that she had gone to an RTD office to transfer ownership of a car she had just sold and was asked to wear a sarong. If she did not, she would not be entertained.

She was wearing a blouse and a pink skirt that was a few inches above her knees. The post along with the images was later removed from her page.

According to The Star, Tan was waiting to get a queue number when she was told to wear the sarong.

“I do not know if I should laugh or cry,” said Tan, who did not specify the date or location of the RTD office.

- TMI