From G Selva

No one should be turned away from our hospitals, police stations and fire and rescue departments by any officer, based on their own discretion.

Even those downtrodden members of the public must be accorded their rights to seek assistance at any time and in any situation from our essential services.

The recent incidents involving the police in Kajang and a hospital in Kampar in turning away people due to their attire are a cause for concern.

The personnel at these departments must be made aware of their duties and responsibilities in tandem with the law, as there are Acts and SOPs which have to be adhered to, in tackling any emergency situation.

These laws, regulations and SOPs are intended to ensure that it is mandatory for personnel in these specific services to serve and protect society in all situations of crisis without any form of prejudice whatsoever. The degree of assistance may, however, differ parallel to the situation at hand. That is the only discretion allowed.

Every person seeking assistance is in some state of trauma, and the personnel at these departments must have professional empathy not to make judgments of triviality. The focus must always be on the damage, injury, pain, loss or intimidation at hand, and not the attire so as to ensure swift and efficient assistance is readily available.

Incidents of turning away members of the public simply because they are not attired properly must cease and be addressed immediately, as they can spur more little Napoleons in our system to apply their own discretion according to their personal beliefs, likes and dislikes.

This can affect efficiency and productivity, which will result in victims suffering higher loss, injury and damage.

Delayed reaction to such a situation can escalate problems which would have been easier to solve or manage if dealt with swiftly.

Time is always of the essence when it comes to essential services when saving property, treating the sick or injured, and gathering evidence.

Although there may be recourse to the judiciary for such inaction or undue delay, it will undoubtedly take time and defeat the purpose of the whole concept and approach to swift essential services professionalism.

Good governance requires swift and firm administrative remedies to ensure that these incidents do not happen anymore.

G Selva is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.