Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has firmly denied allegations by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that it is obstructing access to its immigration detention facilities. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail emphasized that Malaysia has not denied any visit requests from the UNHCR, clarifying that only two such requests have been received this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin highlighted the need to address the perception that Malaysia is blocking access to the detention centers. He referred to a report by The New York Times quoting the UNHCR, which claimed that Malaysia has barred the agency from visiting detention depots since 2019. Saifuddin stressed that this portrayal is inaccurate and that Malaysia is open to such visits, provided necessary procedures are followed.

In a related issue, Saifuddin also addressed the public regarding the dress code requirements when lodging reports at police stations. He underscored that while the public is encouraged to dress modestly, the police are obligated to accept reports regardless of the complainant's attire. The Home Minister highlighted the police's core responsibility to assist the public and reiterated that a circular on dress code serves merely as a guideline.

Saifuddin's comments were in response to a recent viral incident involving a woman who was reportedly denied entry to the Melaka district police headquarters due to a dress code violation. The woman, who had been involved in an accident, was allegedly barred from filing a report because her skirt was deemed inappropriate according to government premises guidelines.