PETALING JAYA: The dress code for customers at government offices is in line with the upholding and practice of the fifth principle of the Rukun Negara, which is Courtesy and Morality, says the Public Service Department (PSD).Its director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah said the guidelines also aimed to ensure the collective harmony and well-being of Malaysia’s multicultural society.

       “Such dress codes are also practised at government offices in Japan, Britain and Australia as well as South-East Asian countries such as the Philippines and Thailand.

       “Similarly, a good appearance mirrors politeness when carrying out tasks at government offices,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He said the PSD, through its various department heads, would continue to enhance training programmes for counter staff and spread awareness of the dress code.

       On May 9, administrative clerk Leni Fernandez was barred from entering the Wisma Persekutuan government complex in Johor Baru after a security guard deemed her attire “provocative and indecent”.

       She was wearing a long-sleeved dress that ended 7cm below her knees, and closed-toe shoes.

       There were also several cases in which women were asked to cover their legs before entering government premises such as the Balik Pulau court complex, Selangor state secretariat building, Sungai Buloh Hospital and Gombak Road Transport Department.

       The women were either asked to wear a sarung by the security guards or not allowed in.

       Mohd Shafiq said those intending to perform errands at government offices were encouraged to go online or to use the various apps and portals available.

       “This will indirectly speed up access to the various services provided by us,” he said, adding that there were 389 online service platforms developed by the government.

       On another matter, Mohd Shafiq said 40,729 positions had been approved this year for ministries, departments and agencies.

       “PSD remains committed to filling the positions for all ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that the delivery of services is at the optimum level, especially as the country transitions to the endemic phase and towards national recovery,” he added.