PUTRAJAYA is waiting for approvals from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the cabinet before tabling the sexual harassment bill for first reading this Parliament session, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said today.

“The bill is already drafted and is now with the AGC. After the AGC approves it, the draft bill will be given to eight other ministries for their feedback,” Siti Zailah, who is also Rantau Panjang MP, said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“After that, the cabinet will approve it before it is tabled in Parliament.”

Siti Zailah was responding to Noorita Suai’s (Tenom-PH) question on when the government planned to table the bill.

The deputy minister, however, declined to commit to a specific deadline when pressed by lawmakers Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh-PH) and Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort-PN).

“This is an issue that has bipartisan support. As such, will the ministry give a firm commitment that it will be tabled in this session?” Nurul Izzah asked.

On the same note, Azizah asked if the AGC had been given any deadlines on when the bill will be finalised.

Siti Zailah, however, merely said her ministry is keen on introducing the bill.

“We are doing our best,” said the PAS lawmaker. – November 15, 2021.