Man barred from Malaysian government office over dress code, allowed entry after wearing sarong

MALAYSIA: A man in Malaysia was briefly prevented from entering a government building in Selangor after security staff said his clothing did not comply with dress code requirements, before allowing him access once he donned a sarong, according to a video circulating on social media.

The incident occurred at the District Land Office in Klang, Selangor, where the man arrived wearing shorts, a T-shirt and slippers, the footage showed.

In the video, a security guard is seen stopping the man at the entrance and explaining that he would not be permitted to enter unless he complied with the premises’ dress code. The man attempted to persuade the guard to allow him inside, but the guard reiterated the rules.

The situation was resolved after the guard handed the man a sarong to wear. 

With the guard’s assistance, the man put on the garment and was subsequently allowed to enter the building. He was later seen smiling as he proceeded inside to attend to his matters.

Official explanations on dress code enforcement

The Klang incident comes as authorities in Malaysia reiterate that dress codes remain applicable at government premises, except in cases involving critical or emergency situations.

Earlier this month, Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar addressed a separate case involving a woman who was reportedly denied entry to the Jasin District Police Headquarters due to her attire.

The incident took place on 8 December at about 5:00pm, when two women arrived at the police station to lodge a report following a road accident. Dzulkhairi said investigations found that neither woman was injured and both were able to manage without immediate assistance.

He said the officer on duty advised them to return home briefly to change into more appropriate clothing, in line with existing guidelines.

Emergency and critical case exceptions

Dzulkhairi said the dress code at government premises applies unless the situation involves a critical emergency, adding that flexibility is permitted in genuine cases requiring immediate intervention.

The woman later returned to the police station at around 5:40pm with her mother, dressed in more modest attire, and was allowed to enter and lodge her report as usual.

He stressed that the Royal Malaysia Police prioritises public comfort and welfare while ensuring civil service standards are upheld, and advised the public not to speculate on dress code matters to avoid confusion and misinformation.

Public debate over clearer guidelines

Dress code enforcement at government premises has repeatedly drawn public attention in Malaysia, with several incidents sparking calls for clearer and more consistent rules.

Past cases include a February 2023 incident in Selangor, where a woman was reportedly denied entry to a police station in Kajang while attempting to lodge a report because she was wearing Bermuda shorts. A hospital in Kampar, Perak, also faced scrutiny after a woman was allegedly denied entry due to her attire.

These incidents have fuelled ongoing public discussion over how dress code policies should be applied across public institutions.

Cabinet-level response

Following public backlash over the Jasin police station case, Malaysia’s Cabinet ordered an immediate overhaul of dress code regulations at police stations nationwide.

Communications Minister and government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said on 10 December that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim views access to police services as “non-negotiable,” particularly in matters of public safety and security.

He said the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, had been tasked with reviewing the 2020 circular governing attire at government premises, adding that essential frontline services such as police stations and health agencies would be exempted from dress code requirements going forward.

The revised directive has yet to be issued.