KUCHING, Feb 5 — It would be arrogant and unacceptable to turn away victims who are without the proper dress attire but have to lodge a police report, said Datuk Richard Wee.
The Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations said he subscribes to the need of having a proper dress code and attire when visiting any government offices.
Despite having said that, he opined that there ought to be a difference when the visit involves government offices or departments that are dealing with the general public such as police stations and local councils.
“There should be an expected culture and expected norms to be inculcated among us in our society. But to turn away customers would be arrogant and unacceptable as after all, they are all there to serve the people.
“Imagine if police stations turn away victims who have been involved in accidents, fights or any unforeseen incidents whereby their attire have been torn or damaged, would they be asked to go home and change before going to make their reports?
“Sometimes, all those damaged items would need to be used as evidence. Are we to be told to tamper with the possible evidence?” pointed out the community leader when prompted for comments today.
He was asked to respond to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani who yesterday said anyone going to a police station should keep the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara in mind and dress courteously.
Wee personally felt that this issue was blown out of proportion as he believed that “it has never been an issue in the past and should never have been an issue now”.
Given this, he hoped that the relevant authorities and personnel concerned would exercise their wisdom and be more practical and people-friendly when dealing with such issue.
He said under certain circumstances, they should not just strictly follow the guidelines and rules especially at the expense of the service to the people.
“To do so would be an abuse of the guidelines to inconvenient the victims and that would not be acceptable to our society,” he added.
Wee asserted that there is a dire need for a more holistic revamp and better education to enhance the attitude and the system of the country’s civil service.
He added that the new unity government must show their political will to change and improve the image of the whole civil service particularly the ones at the frontline dealing with the people. — Borneo Post
