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ADUN SPEAKS | The Penang State Women, Family and Community Development exco strongly registers its abhorrence and shock over sexual harassment of women journalists by politicians and government ministers.

This harassment is totally unacceptable and unbecoming of those holding such high office, and representing the rakyat, a lot of whom are women.

We are aware of sexual harassment occurring at the workplace, we have continued to speak up and pushed for stiffer punishment for offenders, as current legislation under the Employment Act 1955 and the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment is limited to outrage of modesty.

Sexual harassment often happens in an unequal power relationship, such as between a superior and a subordinate, or in the case reported by the Asian Correspondent, a journalist attempting to obtain a scoop found herself being molested and compromised.

The high office held by the perpetrator, which gave him access to privileged government information, also gave him power over this women journalist, who needs a lead story for her newspaper.

Taking advantage of his position as a government minister, he took liberty with the female journalist. This is morally wrong and must be brought out in the open to shame this government minister.

The other factor which I like to highlight is the work pressure exerted on women journalists by their bosses to get the latest news lead by whatever means necessary, which in this case, involved the journalist encouraged to set up a meeting with the minister at a bar after office hours, putting her in a highly compromised situation.

Such employers are totally unethical and must be equally chastised and reprimanded.

Finally, I would like to call out to all victims of sexual harassment to step forward and to expose all perpetrators, especially those in high places. Such politicians are not fit to hold office, nor to become the people’s representatives, as they are a threat and menace to women in society.

Holding high office comes with an even greater responsibility to look after the interests of the rakyat, and this include protecting and respecting the rights and dignity of working women.

Don’t keep silent if you have experienced sexual harassment at your workplace or when carrying out your duties. Voice out such harassment to shame and punish the perpetrator, and also to deter others from committing sexual harassment against women.

We are strongly behind you and will give you all the support in pursuing your case against the perpetrator, even someone in high office, like a government minister.

I believe the general public, both women and men, detest sexual perpetrators and stand solidly behind every victim of sexual harassment and will not turn a blind eye nor a deaf year in their support.


CHONG ENG is the state assemblyperson for Padang Lalang, and Penang exco for youth and sport, women, family and community development.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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