MIC wing chiefs raise Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, Undi18 in AGM speeches

 

Wanita MIC has called on the government to immediately table the proposed Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill in Parliament which addresses both online and physical threats.

Wing chief SJ Usha Nandhini (above) said there should not be any further delay in enacting the law, reportedly currently under scrutiny by the Attorney-General's Chambers before being tabled in Parliament.

"The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill must be expedited to address the issue and other inequalities faced by women.

"Because of the diverse nature of sexual harassment, present both online and in the real world, this bill must contain all-encompassing provisions," she said in her speech at the joint opening of the annual general assemblies of the MIC Putera, Puteri, Women's and Youth wings in Klang today.

"This bill must be inclusive towards all that it protects. This bill must also equally protect everyone in Malaysia, regardless of their location or citizenship status," she stressed.

Usha also called on the government to ensure that all of its policies are gender-sensitive by identifying factors that differently impact men and women.

"And to do that, we need to have more women at decision-making levels," she said.

Addressing MIC deputy president M Saravanan, who officiated the opening, Usha quipped that women MIC candidates should be allocated a 40 percent quota in the 15th general election by the party as the requested previous quota of 30 percent resulted in only a 10 percent quota being granted.

At the same time, she reminded the BN leaders present that the MIC had been a loyal ally, even when other components deserted the coalition.

'Undi18 blessing in disguise'

Meanwhile, MIC Youth chief R Thinalan said the Undi18 initiative to lower the voting age to 18 from 21, along with automatic voters registration, was a blessing in disguise for the party.

MIC Youth chief R Thinalan

"I see it as a blessing in disguise... giving us a fresh opportunity for change.

"Now, the process of revitalising the party can no longer be left as a rhetoric," he said.

Thinalan noted that the current top MIC leadership led by party president S Vigneswaran and Saravanan comprised leaders who had previous experience in leading the party's youth wing.

He added the difficult challenge in facing the estimated 7.8 million new voters by 2023 could only be overcome by solidarity and sincerity among BN partners.

Aside from Usha and Thinalan, the day's event also featured opening speeches by the MIC Putera and Puteri wing chiefs, followed by closed-door debates during the afternoon sessions.

Unlike previous years, Covid-19 prevention protocols put in place saw many delegates from outside Selangor and Kuala Lumpur joining in via the Zoom online platform.

The opening ceremony for the MIC wings today was also attended by BN component party leaders, including Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Wanita Umno secretary Rosni Sohar, MCA Wanita chief Heng Siai Kee and MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong. - Mkini