Women MPs from both sides of divide unite in push to make schools a safer place

PETALING JAYA: Twenty women MPs from across the political divide have come together to urge Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to make schools a safer place from sexual harassment.

In a statement, the 20 MPs from various parties stated that they have written a letter to Muhyiddin to voice their concerns on the rape joke case which was exposed by 17-year-old student Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam against a male teacher and rape threats from her classmates.

The MPs stated that the government must give serious attention to the matter and immediate action must be taken.

“Even though the victim has filed a police report, we women parliamentarians urge the government to check again the standard operating procedures and existing policies on investigating sexual harassment in schools and all educational institutions.

“We urge the government to be serious, concerned and protect the interests of the victims, especially school students, by handing this matter immediately.

“We demand the commitment of the Prime Minister to give a guarantee of security to students in schools. The students should feel safe at schools and protected by teachers, not otherwise, ” said the 20 MPs in the statement.

The 20 who signed the letter are: Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang); Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Pandan); Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (Batang Sadong); Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah); Teresa Kok (Seputeh); Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri); Hannah Yeoh (Segambut); Teo Nie Ching (Kulai); Fuziah binti Salleh (Kuantan); Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud);

Kasthuriraani Patto (Batu Kawan); Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya); Rusnah Aluai (Tangga Batu); Nurul Izzah Anwar (Permatang Pauh); Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina (Merbok); Alice Lau (Lanang); Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort); June Leow Hsiad Hui (Hulu Selangor); Noorita Sual (Tenom); and Wong Shu Qi (Kluang).