In a statement yesterday, JPA director-general Mohd Shafiq Abdullah said the dress code set for government offices was also aimed at ensuring harmony in a multiracial community.

He said this was in line with the principles of the Rukun Negara.

Shafiq said JPA will continue to improve the training programmes for officers manning its counters while raising greater awareness of the dress code for visitors.

“At the same time, in line with the government’s aim of optimising the use of digital platforms in public service matters, Malaysians are encouraged to deal online through the applications or portals available.

“This indirectly gives them quicker access to the services provided while reducing bureaucracy,” he said, adding that there were 389 online service platforms developed by Putrajaya.

Recently, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham drew flak for criticising the dress code imposed at government offices, including from Cuepacs, the umbrella body for civil service unions, and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ngeh had urged Putrajaya to act against department heads for denying service to the public because of the strict dress code.

He claimed that there were no laws giving powers to government officers to prescribe attire for those seeking services at government offices.

Government offices typically ban open-toed footwear, T-shirts and “revealing” outfits, with recent reports showing people being turned away for not meeting the dress code.