THE Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said it will enforce the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 in phases starting today.

Sections 1, 2, 24, 25 and 26 will be enforced first, it said in a statement today.

The ministry said enforcement of the act involves the definition of sexual harassment, elements of awareness, and prevention of sexual harassment.

“It takes into account the importance of educating the people and increasing their understanding and awareness of the seriousness of issues involving sexual harassment before this act is fully enforced,” it said.

The ministry said the act reflects the government’s concerns and serious commitment to addressing and eliminating gender-based discrimination, especially sexual harassment.

“When the understanding and awareness of sexual harassment and its effects on the victims can be enhanced in the community, it helps provide a safe environment,” it said.

The act was passed in the Dewan Rakyat on July 20, 2022, and subsequently in the Dewan Negara on August 11, 2022. 

It was gazetted as law on October 18 last year after Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah assented to it. – Bernama, March 28, 2023.