Public views sought on sexual harassment law

PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is gathering views and feedback on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021.

The feedback will be gathered until June this year via a questionnaire available at www.kpwkm.gov.my/ruu/.

The Bill was tabled on Dec 15 last year by Deputy Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff for the first reading.

It is scheduled for a second and third reading in the upcoming Parliament meeting.

Siti Zailah said her ministry established a special project team to draft the Bill, consisting of government agencies, academics and NGOs who have expertise, knowledge and experience on sexual harassment issues.

She added that it had also consulted the Malaysian Employers Federation, student leaders from tertiary education institutions, several ministries as well as government departments to assist in finalising the Bill.

The proposed law covers the definition of sexual harassment, the establishment of an Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal to hear complaints, applicability to all victims regardless of gender, place and nationality involving cases taking place in Malaysia, the balance of probabilities evidence and victim compensation (redress), among others.

As reported earlier, the Bill provides the tribunal with the 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 as stated in the order.

Compensation or damages not exceeding RM250,000 can be issued for any loss or damage suffered by victims.

In addition, the tribunal may issue an order for the parties to attend any programme deemed fit.