KUALA LUMPUR: Misuse a former partner’s photos and you could face the anti-sexual harassment tribunal, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri has warned, after its first contested ruling was upheld in court.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister was referring to the High Court’s ruling on Wednesday upholding an award in favour of a woman whose ex-boyfriend shared her intimate photos online without her consent.
“It is a very important case for us,” she said, urging people to be careful with photos taken during a past relationship.
“When it was brought to court, the case favoured the complainant.”
She was speaking after opening the tribunal’s new office in Kuala Lumpur and launching its online complaints system yesterday.
The Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS) was set up on March 8, 2024, under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022.
As of June 7, a total of 99 complaints had been filed since the tribunal began work.
Of these, 80 were resolved within 60 days of the first hearing, while 19 are still being processed.
“We want every victim to come forward and lodge a complaint without fear, shame or being blamed,” Nancy said.
If a complaint is proven, the tribunal can order the person responsible to apologise, publish the apology, pay up to RM250,000 in compensation or attend a relevant programme.
“It is not a trivial matter. It affects a person’s dignity, emotions and safety,” she said, adding that the government wants zero tolerance for harassment at workplaces, schools and public spaces.
The online system, e-TAGS, has been running since Jan 1. Complaints can be filed and managed at etags.kpwkm.gov.my with fees paid online.
The tribunal moved to Menara Aras Raya in the city centre last November.
Nancy said the site is easier to reach by public transport, including the Bandaraya LRT station, and its office on Level 26 has a witness room for children.
All hearings are held behind closed doors. The tribunal has appointed 30 members and has heard cases from across the country, including sessions in Sri Aman, Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Nancy said her ministry will offer counselling to the family of a child involved in a sexual assault case in Batu Pahat.
“There is a counselling team that will contact the family. We need to care for them,” she said.
On Wednesday, a 67-year-old pensioner had been remanded for six days to assist investigations into allegations of repeated sexual abuse against his 13-year-old granddaughter.
Victims of sexual harassment in any form, whether verbal, non-verbal, visual, in gestures or physical, may file a complaint with TAGS. For more information, call Talian Kasih at 15999, WhatsApp 019-261 5999 or visit the official TAGS portal.
