SEVERAL members of Parliament today urged the government to immediately table the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill to protect women’s interests. 

Rohani Abdul Karim (GPS-Batang Lupar) said that although there were provisions in the Penal Code, the Employment Act 1955 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 on the matter, there were grey areas especially when it involves cyber sexual harassment.

The former minister of women, family and community development also proposed that the select committee on women, children and social development be used as one of the platforms for governance.

On September 12, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Mohd Harun said the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is being drafted through a special project team and is expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.

Maszlee Malik (Independent-Simpang Renggam) said the bill should be tabled and passed immediately to curb the issue of sexual harassment, especially in schools, hostels and institutes of higher learning.

He said the standard operating procedure for reporting and actions to address student disciplinary issues together with guidelines on handling student sexual harassment implemented by the Education Ministry since 2011 were no longer suitable.

He said they should be replaced with SOP and guidelines in line with the provisions of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. 

“Cases of sexual harassment in schools, hostels and institutes of higher learning are serious and should not be taken lightly. It requires serious intervention from the government and the relevant ministries,” the former education minister said. 

Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut), meanwhile, urged the Home Ministry to provide more manpower and allocation to the sexual, women and child investigation division of the Royal Malaysian Police to solve sexual crimes involving children as a result of the movement control order. – Bernama, September 20, 2021.