BFM sacks two employees over sexual harassment

PETALING JAYA: BFM89.9 has terminated the services of two employees following allegations of sexual harassment.

Its founder Malek Ali said this was part of the findings from an independent committee formed to investigate allegations of sexual harassment at the radio station.

The committee, which included independent lawyers, submitted its findings to a panel comprising current and former non-executive independent directors of the station late last week.

“In respect of the allegations of sexual harassment, both employees have been served termination letters of misconduct.

“The board determined that there is sufficient evidence to warrant this course of action,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Malek said the management team acknow­ledged that more could have been done to proactively gather evidence so that such misconduct could have been addressed in a more timely manner.

“Based on the recommendations of the board, the management team is committed to improving its structure for employees to report any grievances they may have.

“Complaints will be handled impartially, and it is our intention to have this structure in place within four weeks,” he said, adding that a review of BFM’s existing internal policies and guidelines was also underway.

On Dec 4, 2018, The Star reported that BFM had begun formal investigations into allegations of sexual harassment at the radio station.

The allegations first surfaced through a circulated email of alleged sexual harassment at the radio station involving its employees.

The email, written by a former employee, alleged that the management had not looked into these harassment claims seriously.