Rina reiterates commitment to drafting Sexual Harassment Bill
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun reiterated her ministry's commitment to draft a Sexual Harassment Bill.
In a statement today, Rina said the government was reviewing the draft to be tabled in Parliament.
"This specific law is important and it complements the existing laws to ensure that sexual harassment issues can be tackled effectively and able to protect victims regardless of their gender," she said.
Her statement comes in the wake of cases where two women alleged that police officers harassed them...
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun reiterated her ministry's commitment to draft a Sexual Harassment Bill.
In a statement today, Rina said the government was reviewing the draft to be tabled in Parliament.
"This specific law is important and it complements the existing laws to ensure that sexual harassment issues can be tackled effectively and able to protect victims regardless of their gender," she said.
Separately, Bernama quoted Rina as saying that the Attorney-General's Chambers was in its final stage of reviewing the draft and would be tabled as soon as Parliament resumes sitting.
However, the proclamation of emergency, which is in effect until August, has temporarily stopped Parliament from convening.
Her statement comes in the wake of cases where two women alleged that police officers harassed them at movement control order (MCO) roadblocks.
The duo separately took to Twitter on Saturday to recount their experiences of being allegedly harassed.
In both cases, the women said a police officer recorded their personal details including phone numbers.
One of them said she received an unsolicited text message after the encounter, while the other said she was allegedly asked to expose herself in order to avoid being fined.
Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters and Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (Jips) had started investigations into the cases.
Jips director Zamry Yahya told Malaysiakini that the two police officers were transferred to other duty pending police investigations.
"The two were removed from manning roadblocks and it's up to their superiors to decide where they want to transfer them... usually it is to office jobs where they don't deal with the public," he said.
The order to suspend them was issued on Feb 12, he said.
Rina urged the public, notably women, to file a report if they received any form of sexual harassment.
They can channel complaints through the Kasih line 15999 and WhatsApp number 019-2615999 which operate for 24 hours.
On the recent allegations involving the police officers, Rina said she hoped the incidents did not lead the public into questioning the credibility of the police force.
"Don't punish the entire team because of one bad apple," she said.
Bill should cover more than the workplace
Meanwhile, the Nation of Women (Now) NGO welcomed Rina's move in tabling the Sexual Harassment Bill next month.
In a statement this afternoon, Now president Haniza Talha said sexual harassment must be dealt with as the perpetrators are employers or those with positions in the workplace.
She, however, hopes the new bill not only covers the workplace but also extends to other locations, such as public spaces, private places and other places.
"(The bill) must also cover all forms of harassment, including psychological harassments, use of words, images, videos, gestures and behaviour," said Haniza.
She said the complainants of the sexual harassment should be protected in the process, they should not be burdened in terms of costs and their privacy must be protected.
Now is an NGO linked to Bersatu Supreme Council member Azmin Ali.
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