KUCHING: The place of work needs to be safe to allow more efficiency and quality said Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She hoped with the passing of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, it would ensure that the workplace is free from sexual harassments.
“After eleven years, finally the Bill has been passed. Once gazetted, steps must be taken to inform all workers regardless of genders (of the law being enforced).
“This is because sexual harassment victims involve men and women. We must let them know that there is a law protecting them,” she said in a statement today (July 21).
Fatimah was responding to Bill which was passed by parliamentarians through a voice note. 26 MPs debated on the bill.
Federal Women, Families and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun in her winding up speech yesterday said the Bill was timely to put an end to the normalisation of sexual harassment.
“This is the first step for Malaysia to provide protection (for victims) against sexual harassment,” Rina said.
At the same time, Fatimah added that advocation against sexual harassment must be done through defining what harassment means as well as its impacts on victims.
“This is along with the reporting procedure, assistance and support system needed by the victims,” she said.
She said, generally with sexual harassment incidents, not many are willing to come forward to report it particularly when the offender is in a position of influence as well as having their own families.
“Certain people would side with the offender instead of the victim, and the victim would be further victimised instead of getting sympathy and support – this needs to change,” she said.
