Sarong issue: Stop all racial polemics, says Cuepacs

Members of the public, he said need to be sensitive to ethical issues on the job.

Azih expressed his disappointment following the action taken against a member of the RELA for prompting a woman to wear a sarong after an episode unfolded at the premises of the Road Transport Department (JPJ), recently.

"We have to return to the regulations that were laid out and Cuepacs is certain that if everyone is given the opportunity to justify the situation, they would understand the actual scenario and the questions of discrimination and racism would not arise.

"It's a matter of enforcement by policymakers," he said, adding that he is hopeful that the matter would be resolved soon.

READ: Woman asked to cover up as attire deemed unsuitable for JPJ office

He said, the RELA member should not be penalised but rewarded for having performed the duties prudently to a customer who did not conform to the dress code.

"Many people should be grateful as there are civil servants who remind members of the public to comply with the 'code of ethics'," he said,

Some quarters, he stressed tend to overreact and jump the gun.

He also expressed his concern that some political parties with a stake in the sarong issue would take the matter to the social media and neglect the enforcement aspect of the regulations.

"We have the rules written, legislations enacted and displayed, if we do not enforce we will also be blamed," said Azih.

The JPJ would also be blamed if they do not carry out the enforcement. He said regardless of carrying out their duties or not, they will still be subjected to criticisms.

"So, I urge for the public to dismiss the polemic and hope that all parties would understand that if regulations, guidelines are present and code of ethics exists and circulars have been released, we are merely doing our job so why then we get blamed for it.

"Cuepacs would like to thank the RELA member for enforcing the law," said Azih in a press conference in Mini UTC Sentul.

READ: RTD apologises over sarong incident

He added that the RELA member had no intention to insult as he was merely carrying out his duties and giving a sarong to the lady was deemed better than forbidding her from entering the JPJ office.