Saifuddin said he would not compromise with police officers that were “not prepared” to take reports from the public.

“We do not agree with the cop’s action (in refusing to take a report because of what the complainant was wearing),” he said after a media engagement session.

Saifuddin, however, reminded the public to observe the dress code at public offices, such as police stations.

“People should also be aware of the element of ‘decency’ when going to these places,” he said.

A woman recently claimed that she was refused entry into the Kajang district police headquarters to lodge a police report following a car accident because of her attire.

The woman claimed she was wearing Bermudas that covered her knees.

She said she was only allowed to enter the police station after her sister brought her a pair of long pants.

Kajang police later confirmed that a woman was denied entry into the police station because her attire did not comply with its dress code.

The incident led to brickbats from various quarters.

Last week, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said department heads had the discretion to determine the dress code for government offices.

He said the chief secretary to the government had given directives on the appropriate attire when visiting government offices.

Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan said police should not stop anyone from lodging a report just because of the complainant’s choice of attire.

He said police should not be “chasing” away those who want to lodge a report as it was their duty to help the public.