Set up special committee to review dress code guidelines - Lee Lam Thye

A special committee to review dress code guidelines for the public at government agencies should be formed as existing guidelines are viewed as no longer relevant.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the establishment of the committee should be closely monitored by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa to put an end to the controversy.

Lee, who is also a social activist said the study was important to enable the government to hear the views of various quarters, including non-governmental organisations to determine whether the current dress code was appropriate or otherwise.

"Such cases are likely to recur if no study is conducted, and this can affect social harmony. The study should be carried out so that appropriate dress code guidelines can be issued.

"The drawing up of the appropriate dress code guidelines should not fall only on one particular person," he told reporters after the launch of the Souhtern Marina development project here today.

He was commenting on the recent furore on women barred from entering government agencies unless they changed to 'decent' clothes.

Lee said the review was also important to prevent a bad impression on the government.