GEORGE TOWN: A lawyer is demanding to know when have security guards been given the authority to enforce dress code at government offices.
This is after a female colleague was stopped by a guard from entering the Social Security Organisation (Socso) office in Jalan Burma here today, citing her dressing.
Datuk Ajit Singh Jessy said his office manager, identified only as May, had accompanied him to the Socso office at noon today to register his maid under Socso.
He said upon their arrival, the guard at the entrance had stopped them and said that her skirt should reach her feet.
"She and I asked him what was wrong since her skirt was at her knees. He said that was the rule.
"After we persisted to know what was wrong with her skirt, he replied, 'Ini kali ok. Lain kali tak boleh'," Ajit told the New Straits Times.
He said upon entering the premises, no one winked an eye at his colleague's outfit or asked any questions. In fact, the staff were very helpful and polite.
"My question is, since when have security guards been given the authority to enforce dress code?
"I always thought their job was to guard the building.
"Please put a stop to this harassment of the public at government departments," he added.
When contacted, state Socso director Mustafa Deraman said they do not set a specific dress code for customers.
However, he said there was signage put up advising customers to dress appropriately, for example singlets, mini pants or short skirts are not allowed.
"Looking at the picture given, the customer's clothes was appropriate.
"Maybe the guard on duty was wrong about this, and I apologise for that," he told the NST.