Abdul Aziz Named Selangor Maal Hijrah Figure, Among Pioneers Of Headscarf Usage In PDRM

SHAH ALAM : The role of introducing official headscarf usage among female police officers was among the contributions of Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof that earned him the recognition as the 1448H Selangor State Level Maal Hijrah Figure.

The contribution was announced during the reading of the recipient’s biodata at the Selangor-level Maal Hijrah celebration held at the Discourse Hall of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque here last night.

The effort was described as among the significant changes in the public service and national security sector, as it provided space for Muslim women to fulfil religious obligations while carrying out their duties.

The move was also seen as elevating the position of Muslim women in the security forces, besides reflecting sensitivity towards religious needs in the implementation of government policies.

Commenting on the matter, Abdul Aziz said when the proposal was raised around the 1970s and 1980s, headscarf usage among Muslim women was still not widespread, and female police officers were not allowed to wear headscarves while on duty.

“As government servants, the police are always under public scrutiny. At that time, around the 1970s and 1980s, many female police officers were not allowed to wear headscarves.

“We discussed it with the minister, deputy minister and the police leadership at the time before reaching an agreement to allow female police officers to wear headscarves while carrying out their duties,” he said when met after the Selangor-level Maal Hijrah celebration.

According to him, among the individuals involved in the discussions were the then Home Minister and Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, as well as the Deputy Minister, Tan Sri Noh Omar.

He said after the agreement was reached, headscarf usage began to be implemented in the police force, with every female police officer being supplied with headscarves as part of their official uniform.

Besides that contribution, he also has an outstanding service record in the public sector since 1995, encompassing positions as Chief Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Selangor and Melaka State Governments, as well as the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN).

“I never expected that my service all this while had been observed, seen and evaluated. I am grateful and happy to have been honoured by the State Government. I am a child of Selangor; indeed, my love and respect for my state is very deep.

“I extend my highest gratitude to His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, the State Government, and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department for organising this Maal Hijrah programme,” said the Sabak Bernam native.

Commenting on the meaning of Hijrah, he said the spirit of Maal Hijrah must be translated through change towards the better, as well as efforts to strengthen unity among the multi-racial and multi-religious community.

He said the people should emulate the approach of Prophet Muhammad SAW in building a united society while respecting the identities and diversity that exist in the country.

Earlier, His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj was pleased to present the award to Abdul Aziz, comprising a mock cheque worth RM20,000, a certificate and a Maal Hijrah plaque.

Based on records, Abdul Aziz began his service in the public sector as a Statistician at the Department of Statistics in Kuala Lumpur. He later served as the Selangor State Financial Officer and the Selangor State Secretary.

After retiring, he was appointed as a member of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS). Several years later, he was entrusted by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor as the Chairman of MAIS (1 January 2021 – 28 February 2025) and as a member of the Selangor Royal Council (2 April 2018 – 30 November 2025).

After completing his service in the public sector, he was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the Chairman of the Election Commission, where he conducted 26 by-elections and two general elections.

He currently also leads the healthcare sector as the Chairman of Avisena Specialist Hospital, contributing to the development of quality healthcare services for the community.

Media Selangor