Complainants exempt from police station dress code in emergencies

KUALA LUMPUR - Individuals filing reports at police stations in emergencies or situations requiring immediate assistance are now exempt from the dress code, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said a circular issued on Dec 29 made the exemption effective immediately, ensuring that the rights of complainants or victims in urgent cases are fully protected.

He explained that the exemption applies to cases such as criminal offences, road accidents, security threats and situations likely to cause emotional stress or trauma, including rape, robbery, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

"In such cases, the welfare and safety of complainants take priority and should not be constrained by dress code requirements.

"The directive has been communicated to all Contingent Police Headquarters and District Police Headquarters via a Royal Malaysia Police Management Department circular dated Dec 29, 2025, ensuring consistent and clear implementation nationwide with immediate effect," he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) regarding a proposal to introduce a law requiring all police stations nationwide to accept reports from the public regardless of their attire.

Commenting further, Shamsul Anuar said the ministry considers the existing administrative directive sufficient and sees no need to enact new legislation on the matter.

He added that the directive aligns with Public Service Administration Circular (PKPA) No. 1 of 2025 on enhancing public sector customer relations, which allows ministries and government agencies to set appropriate dress codes according to their functions and service requirements, particularly for counter and office transactions. - BERNAMA