PKR senator draws flak for proposing 'protection' for men from being 'seduced' into committing sex crimes

Senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid.

PETALING JAYA: A senator has drawn flak after proposing laws to "protect" men from being "seduced" by women into committing sex crimes.

PKR senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid, who made the proposal, said that such laws were important to ensure that men are "protected" against committing sex crimes.

"This is important, as we (men) need to be protected, " he said.

"I propose to the minister that we create a 'sexual harassment act' to protect men against the demeanour, words and clothing of women, which can cause them to be seduced to a point where they commit acts such as incest, rape, molestation, pornography (sic) and others, " he said when taking part in debates on the Syarie Legal Profession (Federal Territories) Bill 2019 on Wednesday (July 31).

Mohd Imran, a retired navy commodore and former Lumut MP, added that his proposal should be given due consideration so that "the men in this country are safe, and the country is peaceful."

Senate Deputy President Abd Halim Abd Samad, who was presiding over the sitting, merely responded by saying this was a 'good viewpoint' amidst chuckles from fellow senators.

Mohd Imran raised the proposal to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mujahid Yusof, who was responding to issues raised by senators during the debates.

However, Mujahid, who is charge of Islamic affairs, did not respond to Mohd Imran's proposal.

In 2015, while debating in the Dewan Rakyat, Mohd Imran said that participants wearing sexy attire at sporting events could lead to illicit sex if they mingled freely with people.

Mohd Imran's proposal drew the ire from several people, including Women, Family, and Community Development Deputy Minister Hannah Yeoh, who called on Mohd Imran to issue an apology to women for his distasteful comments.

"Stop blaming victims' clothing. Babies and young children have been victims of similar crime, they do not know how to seduce men yet they become part of the statistics, " she said.

Yeoh noted that many women dress decently, yet are subject to harassment and rape.

"There are also incidents of men raped by fellow men. What seduction?

"There should be an apology to all women for such distasteful comments.

"I am appalled that the Senate housed such discussion, " she added.

Senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker, who was present in Dewan Negara at the time, described the proposal as "ridiculous".

"He is suffering from the 'blame syndrome' and passing the buck on to others. It is a ridiculous proposal, " he said when contacted.

Rather than point the finger at women, the MCA vice president suggested that an in-depth study be done to determine the factors why sexual crimes are committed against women.