PSD defends dress code, says it's in line with Rukun Negara

 

The Public Service Department (PSD) has defended its dress code for visitors to government offices, stating that this is in line with the Rukun Negara and is also implemented in other countries.

"In line with a multicultural society in Malaysia, the dressing etiquette is meant to ensure harmony in adherence with the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara, which is ‘courtesy and morality’ (kesopanan and kesusilaan).

"Dressing etiquette is also practised in government offices in Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia as well as in Asean countries such as the Phillippines and Thailand," PSD director-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah said in a statement yesterday.

Shafiq said the PSD, through the heads of government departments, would continue to improve training its frontliners on the dress code.

At the same time, he also encouraged members of the public to take advantage of government services provided online.

"This indirectly speeds up access to services and also reduces bureaucracy," he said.

There are some 389 platforms for government services through the MyGovernment portal, Shafiq added. - Mkini