Women’s Ministry gathering public feedback on Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is gathering feedback on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 through public questionnaire via its website (https://www.kpwkm.gov.my/ruu/).

The feedback would be gathered until June 2022 in order to obtain views and initial feedback on the Bill.

The Bill was tabled on Dec 15, 2021, by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff for first reading. It was scheduled for a second and third reading in the upcoming Parliament session this year.

Siti Zailah had said the ministry established a special project team to draft the Bill consisting of government agencies, academicians and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who have expertise, knowledge and experience on sexual harassment issues.

She added that they had also consulted several stakeholders such as the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), student leaders from tertiary education institutions and several ministries as well as government departments to assist in the process of finalising the Bill.

Among the elements of the Bill include the definition of sexual harassment, the establishment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to hear the complaints from victims, applicability for all victims regardless of gender, place and nationality involving cases taking place in Malaysia, the balance of probabilities evidence and victim compensation (redress).

Bernama had reported that the Bill provides the tribunal jurisdiction to hear and determine sexual harassment complaints made by any individual. It has the authority to order the respondent to issue a statement of apology to the complainant in whatever way as stated in the order.

Compensation or whatever damages not exceeding RM250,000 can be issued for any loss or damage suffered by the victims. In addition, the tribunal may issue an order for the parties to attend any programme deemed fit by the tribunal.