THE Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 (AGS 2021) was tabled for second reading and debated by MPs in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

The bill is to provide for a right of redress for any person who has been sexually harassed, the establishment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal, the promotion of awareness of sexual harassment, and to provide for related matters.

When tabling the bill, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun said the AGS 2021 provides for the tribunal to make an order-inclusive award for respondents to issue a statement of apology to the complainant.

The tribunal may also order the respondent to pay compensation or damages not exceeding RM250,000 for any loss or damage suffered by the complainant.

Rina said any award ordered by the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal will be deemed a court order and non-compliance with any award made by the tribunal could result in a criminal penalty.

Rina said the bill includes a provision that all hearings before the tribunal should be closed to the public.

The results of a public survey conducted from January 1 to July 15 this year on the bill found that more than 87% of respondents are ready to report sexual harassment cases to the tribunal in the future.

This is in contrast to the results of a questionnaire in 2019, which showed that 93.7% of respondents chose not to report to the authorities out of fear or embarrassment.

Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) suggested that guidelines be included in media reports so that the complainants’ information is not disclosed, especially young ones.

The sitting continues tomorrow. – Bernama, July 19, 2022.