“It’s not humiliation but just abiding by existing rules”, rightists defend land office dress code

 

THIS highly emotive topic of hemlines and necklines at government offices is nothing new but given the current social and political climate in Malaysia, it has taken on even greater significance.

On the one hand, there are citizens who question the need for such dress codes or finding it intrusive that security personnel at these public spaces are acting as over-zealous “Little Napoleons”, often finding fault with seemingly mundane attire.

Moreover, such episode is often perceived as imposition of ultra-conservative Islamic values upon non-Muslims citizens.

On the other, there are many who seem to think this is no biggie. Why kick up a fuss over the requirement to avoid shorts and cover one’s knees?

This divergence of opinion was once again highlighted in a post by former three-term PKR lawmaker Sivarasa Rasiah (@SivarasaRasiah) on X with a short clip of a security guard courteously guiding a visitor in shorts to don a sarong – instead of kicking up a fuss – before entering an unidentified Land Office.

“Can someone tell us which Land Office this is? Thanks.” was the one-liner from the three-term Sungai Buloh MP and former Rural Development deputy minister (July 2018 to February 2020).

The split in opinion was again evident in the comments as proponents of both sides of the argument were keen to have their voices heard.

For some, the Land Office’s dress code was akin to rulings by the ultra-conservative regime in Afghanistan – the much-feared Taliban.

Some queried whether citizens have the right NOT to pay taxes if a government department refuses services on account of their refusal to abide by the dress code ruling.

Others wondered why some people could easily be triggered by the sight of men’s bare knees.

It was also succinctly pointed out that civil servants are there to serve the rakyat and that the dress code is intended for them, not the tax paying public.

Two sides of the coin

However, there were many commenters on the flip side of the argument who felt it was no biggie to comply with this dress code. Given that these rules aren’t a secret, why should anyone kick up a fuss?

One even asked if the poster was “allergic” to wearing long pants, insinuating that the former PKR vice-president was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Unlike the recent controversy surrounding an accident victim who was asked to change before lodging a police report in Jasin, Melaka, this involved a pre-planned trip to a government office which has a dress code.

In contrast to the former whereby it was an emergency, this commenter contended that there should be no issue to comply with the rules for a pre-arranged trip to a government office.

Some commenters berated the poster for not engaging his brain in raising this issue. As a former deputy minister himself, it was argued that Sivarasa who is also a lawyer and human rights activist should know better.

Some of the more rabid rightists could barely hold back their contempt for perceived arrogance of non-Muslims who could not abide by simple rules. The oft-heard cry for these non-Muslims to go back to their own country reared its ugly head here.

One commenter further pointed out that similar dress codes exist abroad, so why kick up a fuss here?

As can be seen from the comments, opinions are definitely divided on this highly contentious issue. It is not so much as simply observing clearly stated rules but rather it is the imposition of regulations that are anathema to others.

Currently, it is be a ban on shorts, slippers and singlets which may sound fair enough. But problems arise when formal dresses are prohibited for merely being centimetres above the knees or over-zealous security start applying their own standards on what is considered revealing.

Will a lady dress in a traditional saree be considered inappropriate and be denied entry into government offices?

It is not as clear cut as the rightists make it out to be as it affects civil liberties of all Malaysians. And that is an issue deserving of greater debate and not just shouts to blindly follow the rules. –  Focus Malaysia