KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 ― The Road Transport Department (RTD) issued a public apology today to the woman who was made to use a sarong to get service at one of the agency's offices, after admitting that it was not part of its policy to provide such a garment to visitors.

The department acknowledged that the move had inconvenienced the woman, identified as Suzanna G.L. Tan, who had taken to social media yesterday to complain about the incident.

“With reference to a recent post on social media by a Facebook user pertaining to her visit to RTD office, RTD would like to apologise to Ms Tan for the inconvenience caused.

“RTD would like to firmly state that there is no regulation that indicates visitors must be provided with a sarong. Clearly, this was an inconvenience to the visitor,” the department said in its apology posted on its Twitter page this afternoon.

Advertisement

“Importantly, the RTD is always proactive in serving members of the public and ensuring that the public are provided with pleasant and efficient service,” it added.

RTD maintained, however, that it imposes a dress code on all visitors, much like that imposed by all other government ministries and departments.

Yesterday, Tan's complaint of being made to wear a sarong, which she described as a “bag”, to cover up her legs when seeking service at one of RTD’s counters went viral on social media and hit media headlines.

Advertisement

Venting her frustration on Facebook, the woman included pictures of her attire — a pink blouse and a pink skirt ending several inches above her knees — that were deemed inappropriate by the department’s officers.

The RTD has since come under heavy criticism by government and opposition MPs, who questioned if it is a sign of creeping Islamisation in the civil service.

After the incident, RTD published its dress code online, which stipulates that visitors prohibited from wearing short skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops at its offices.