KUALA LUMPUR: An overzealous Rela guard at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) office was responsible for instructing motorist Suzanna G.L. Tan to wear a sarong to cover her legs.
Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi said the guard had already been moved to another section.
"He acted on his own and not under JPJ’s instructions,” he told newsmen at the Global Airport Development (GAD) Asia Conference 2015.
Ab Aziz said JPJ offices had the same guidelines on proper attire as those issued to all government departments.
He however said there should not be “such drastic action for those who don't comply."
Tan, in a Facebook posting that had gone viral, said she was given a sarong to wear when she went to the JPJ office in Wangsa Maju, Gombak, on Monday and told she would not be served otherwise.
She was then wearing a blouse and skirt that ended just above her knees.
Tan, in an email to The Star Online on Wednesday morning, thanked everyone who had responded to her posting.
She said she had not expected the debate that is raging in cyberspace on whether it is proper to be told to wear a sarong at a government office.
“I’m overwhelmed and totally surprised,” she said, laughing nervously when contacted by phone.
Tan said she has been receiving endless calls and messages from family, friends and even strangers.
“I really have no more comments to make. I have said what needs to be said,” she said.
