Dress code policies are by no means new to Malaysians visiting government offices. However in the past month, two separate incidents where Malaysians have been turned away or refused service as a consequence of their attire has led to heated debate in the media.
Health DG responds to case of woman being denied treatment in Hospital Kajang
In the most recent case, a woman claims that she was denied treatment when visiting Hospital Kampar with shorts on, after she had keeled over with excessive stomach pains while spectating a badminton game among her friends.
Upon her arrival at the hospital, an assistant medical officer was said to have told her that she could not be brought into the emergency room as she was wearing shorts at the time. Instead, she was told to change into more modest clothing.
Source: China Press
After probing further, it was claimed that the medical officer lost her temper before telling them to leave. Since then, Perak health committee chairman A. Svainesan has vowed to launch a probe into the matter.
Speaking to The Star, he said that the medical officer claims she had gone to retrieve appropriate clothing for the woman, but they then decided to seek treatment from a private clinic and left. The patient later returned to the emergency unit and was treated by a doctor there.
With the case gaining traction on social media, Twitter user @deprasad888 decided to highlight his concerns to Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Noor Hisham has since responded and confirms that an investigation will be launched by the Ministry over the incident.
“This shouldn’t happen in health facilities. We will investigate and if it is true will take necessary action.”
Source: China Press
This incident follows another similar case when a woman who was involved in a car accident had been turned away by police officers at the Kajang Police Station, as she was seen wearing a pair of Bermuda shorts that went against their dress code.
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Also read: M’sian woman allegedly denied treatment after visiting Hospital Kampar while wearing shorts
