KUALA LUMPUR – After several delays, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (Rantau Panjang-PAS) now says the Sexual Harassment Bill may be presented in Dewan Rakyat by December 16.
During the ministerial question time, Siti Zailah said there is a process to be followed before the bill can be presented in Parliament.
She said a draft of the bill must first be analysed by the attorney-general, and only upon his approval, it would be sent to the cabinet for further scrutiny.
Upon receiving the thumbs up from the executive branch, she said, only then will the bill be ready to be presented in Dewan Rakyat.
“The bill must first be properly scrutinised so it can combat the issues it was intended for, and handle any implementation problems that may arise.
“Now, sexual harassment cases are handled via other legislation such as the Penal Code, Employment Act (1955), Communications and Multimedia Act (1998), and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (2017).”
She said her ministry has already conducted 53 programmes to increase awareness of sexual harassment through the Women’s Development Department.
Meanwhile, she said, up until 2021, 775 cases of sexual harassment are being handled by the police.
“When the attorney-general approves the bill, we will bring it to the cabinet.
“Upon scrutiny by relevant ministries, if approval is obtained, we will present the bill to Parliament for all MPs.”
The ministry has been slammed for not bringing the bill to Parliament quickly enough.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun had in July last year announced that the bill would be tabled in 2020 as it was in the final stages of drafting.
Rina again in February stated that the bill is expected to be ready in March. – The Vibes, November 15, 2021
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