JPJ apologises for 'saronggate'

PETALING JAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has issued a formal apology to "sarong" victim Suzanne G. L. Tan over her recent posting on Facebook pertaining to her visit to the JPJ office.
In a statement today, the department said it would like to apologise to Tan for the inconvenience caused.
"JPJ would like to firmly state that there is no regulation that indicates visitors must be provided with a sarong,
"Clearly, this was an inconvenience to the visitor. The JPJ offices are subject to dress code guidelines much like other government ministries and departments," the statement read.
The incident is believed to have taken place at the Wangsa Maju JPJ office in Kuala Lumpur where Tan had gone to sign a transfer form for a car she had sold.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said on his Facebook page that there is no such thing as a "sarong policy".
"I regret that this dress code issue has taken place. I have directed for an investigation to be conducted immediately and for action to be taken," he said.
"We should not impose unnecessary dress code guidelines on the public," he added.
It was reported that Tan said she just followed the instructions from the public servant and covered up before sorting out her paper work at the office.
"They just handed me this thing (sarong) and I knew that if I made a fuss, I would not get my transfer form signed,” she said.
She added that other than being told to cover up, she was treated well by the officers.