Dewan Rakyat passes anti-sexual harassment bill

The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 after years of formulating and holding engagement sessions. 

The bill, which has four sections, four chapters and 27 clauses, is intended to address sexual harassment in Malaysia which had lacked dedicated laws on sexual harassment.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun when winding the bill said the legislation was an important manifestation and proved the commitment of the government to eradicating discrimination based on gender.

She said an evaluation committee comprising academics and individuals from the relevant NGOs and agencies would be set up to monitor the effectiveness of the law and to issue reports on it.

Rina also assured that tribunal members would be appointed from among individuals with credibility, experience and expertise in sexual harassment cases including police officers, counsellors, health officers NGOs and academics.

Rina said the tribunal, which would be set up in the Klang Valley, could sit at any time and place according to need, to facilitate the people before the tribunal is established and expanded to all states.

She said the operation of the tribunal would take into consideration the views of all stakeholders and intensify efforts to educate and create awareness among the target groups.

She said the development of policy and issuance of guidelines on prevention and awareness creation on sexual harassment would be carried out.

"This includes encouraging activities or providing notices relating to the prevention or awareness about sexual harassment. The application of notice will not be punitive but more towards providing awareness on sexual harassment, its implications as well as ways to prevent it," she said.