Two lawyers have taken Malacca police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar to task over his recent comments on public attire when lodging reports at police stations.
In a strongly worded statement, Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh Sohanpal said Dzulkhairi (above) “has no business commenting on people’s clothing” when his department is facing unresolved claims of misconduct.
They also accused him of focusing on “non-issues” while remaining silent on serious allegations involving the fatal shooting of three men in Durian Tunggal.
“Where is his outrage for this? Where is his response to this?” asked the lawyers who form part of the legal team representing families of the three victims, who they alleged were murdered by police officers.
The duo also pointed out that Dzulkhairi had, during a Nov 24 press conference, presented a narrative which the families claim contradicts their own evidence.
“There remain grave and unresolved allegations surrounding the fatal shooting of three Indian men.
“The families of the deceased have released evidence that shows that these three men were murdered by three police officers under his control.
“Matters of this magnitude - touching directly on police accountability, operational integrity, and the sanctity of life - demand immediate explanation, transparency, and independent scrutiny,” they said.
Officers ‘had no choice’
Last week, Dzulkhairi claimed that his team had no choice but to open fire at the men, aged between 24 and 29, after one of them swung a machete at a police officer at a palm oil plantation in Durian Tunggal.
However, the family’s lawyers completely rejected the police’s version of events, based on an audio recording that seemed to indicate the men were already in police custody for more than 10 minutes before they were shot and killed.
Instead of focusing on the Durian Tunggal shooting, Rajesh and Sachpreetraj argued that Dzulkhairi chose to comment publicly on how members of the public should dress when lodging reports.
“Let us be clear: the Malacca police chief has no business morally policing the attire of Malaysians who come forward to lodge complaints,” they said, adding that the police should focus on ensuring unhindered access for the public to file reports.
It was reported that a woman and her daughter were stopped from entering the Jasin district police headquarters in Malacca on Monday because her skirt’s hemline was slightly above her knee.
Dzulkhairi had reportedly defended his officers’ action and reminded the public that a dress code applies at all complaint counters, except in emergencies.
The lawyers, however, warned that arbitrary barriers, including those based on clothing, undermine public confidence and distract the police from their core responsibilities.
Prepare robes, but public service comes first
Separately, National Unity Advisory Council member Tajuddin Rasdi has mooted a proposal for all public service institutions to provide robes like those at mosques for visitors who unintentionally did not comply with the required dress codes.
“I must remind all public servants that they are first, second, and last servants to the people, providing services paid by the Malaysian people by way of taxes.
“I, therefore, do not think that it is appropriate for Malaysians to be forbidden at any time to get the services required because of their attire. For me, this is totally unacceptable,” he stressed.
“Thus, I would like to ask that all public service institutions provide robes like those at mosques for visitors who unintentionally did not comply with the required dress codes.
“In time, Malaysians will come to understand this requirement, but they must not be denied the services they sought,” he said.
He added that if, for some reason, the public institutions do not have or run out of robes, urgent situations should override any other concerns, and the individuals must be allowed to complete their needs regardless of their attire. - Mkini
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