WORKPLACE relationships have emerged as the most common context for sexual harassment complaints in Malaysia, according to figures from the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment, underscoring persistent concerns over misconduct among colleagues.
Data from the tribunal show that co-workers account for 50 of the 86 complaints received since its establishment on 8 March 2024.
Other cases involve acquaintances, family members, lecturers, students and strangers, reflecting the wide range of settings in which harassment occurs.
“Most complaints are concentrated in the Klang Valley.
“In terms of demographics, most complainants are women and most respondents are men, while incidents involving co-workers make up the largest category.
“Complainants tend to be younger than the respondents,” The Star reported the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development stating.
The most frequently reported forms of harassment include physical, verbal and visual conduct, with visual harassment referring to non-consensual exposure to sexual images or gestures.
Authorities noted that individual complaints often involve more than one type of misconduct.
The tribunal was designed to provide a faster and more accessible route to justice, resolving cases within 60 days without requiring legal representation.
However, officials believe the number of reported cases represents only a fraction of the true scale.
"We believe that many more complaints go unreported because the number of cases lodged with TAGS compared with the police statistics is very different," the ministry said.
Police recorded 872 sexual harassment cases as of October last year, highlighting a significant gap between formal complaints to the tribunal and broader reporting trends.
Authorities say efforts are under way to encourage more victims to come forward, with outreach programmes including talks, seminars and forums aimed at improving public understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment under existing law.
“The ministry will continue to strengthen its outreach efforts through talks, seminars, forums and engagement programmes to raise awareness on what constitutes sexual harassment under the Anti-Sexual Harassment 2022,” it said.
“These efforts aim to ensure that the complaint process is visible, accessible and simple to navigate, so that victims feel confident to come forward,” the ministry added.
Complaints have risen steadily, from 28 cases in 2024 to 45 in 2025, with a further 13 recorded by mid-March this year, in line with a broader upward trend reported by police.
Officials also expect an increase in cases involving online elements as social media use expands.
“Based on current data, a number of complaints involve online or digital elements, highlighting the need for greater public awareness,” the ministry said.
The government has recently stepped up its response to emerging threats, including artificial intelligence-generated abuse, sextortion and online harassment, following several high-profile incidents that have drawn public concern.
In May 2024, the tribunal issued its first ruling, awarding a female employee in a case involving physical harassment by her employer, and ordering the respondent to issue a public apology.
At the same time, efforts are being made to improve digital systems and case management processes to ensure complaints are handled efficiently and fairly, particularly as cases increasingly involve sensitive or digital evidence.
“In such complaints, the tribunal focuses on the evidence and ensures that both parties are given equal opportunity to present their complaint and defence,” the ministry said.
Members of the public may file complaints directly with the tribunal or seek assistance through the national Talian Kasih helpline. - April 14, 2026
