Tawau MP Christina Liew has called for the Sexual Harassment Bill to be prioritised once Parliament reconvenes.
She urged the federal government to prevent further delays on the matter, saying that Putrajaya would be doing a great disservice to Malaysian women by continuing "to procrastinate" the tabling and passing of the Bill.
"Seriously, the long-awaited Sexual Harassment Act must seek to protect women from sexual harassment by providing a safe environment both inside and outside the workplace,” Liew said in a statement yesterday.
She claimed that incidences of sexual harassment have multiplied over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, as seen on social media.
Earlier this year, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun gave her assurance that the Bill - which received bipartisan support - would be debated in the Dewan Rakyat this year.
However, the proclamation of emergency - which is set to last until Aug 1 - triggered the suspension of Parliament, leaving the status of the Bill up in the air.
Liew's statement came after allegations of sexual misconduct recently surfaced against Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Rakyat Sabah (Star) politician Philip Among.
The politician has been suspended by the party following a police report in which he was accused of "lewd" actions from an unduk ngadau (beauty pageant in conjunction with the Kaamatan festival) participant.
“Many young women have been exploited by the perpetrators but they dare not report to the authorities for fear of shame or reprisals," Liew alleged.
She claimed that Malaysia has lagged behind many countries, with regard to the enactment of its sexual harassment legislation. - Mkini
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