LETTER | The Women's Affairs Division (Helwa) of the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) takes seriously the exposure by a group of students on the sexual harassment they faced by a foundation studies lecturer that was exposed on social media. 

Before that, we were also shocked by sister Ain Husniza’s disclosure about the ‘cheap and outrageous jokes’ which is a form of sexual harassment by her teacher in the classroom.

This series of reports shows that some people still underestimate the issue of dignity, manners, and values in daily interaction, especially in educational institutions. 

The various reactions to this issue also show our failure to look at the issue objectively. Harassment through sarcasm and outrageous jokes will cause discomfort and damage to dignity.

In this regard, Helwa Abim urges that;

1. The government creates a practical mechanism in addressing the issue of sexual harassment, including by giving priority to the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill at the next parliamentary session. Protection to the majority of society should take precedence over protecting powerful individuals with low morals.

2. Schools and universities/colleges prepare and strengthen anti-sexual harassment policies and anti-sexual harassment codes of practice to deal with cases of sexual harassment. At the same time, they should create a safe and protective environment for their students in schools and for undergraduates at universities.

3. No form of sexual harassment should be normalised in society. Every member of society needs to be inculcated with the values of mutual respect and the importance of maintaining the dignity of fellow human beings.

The writer is vice-president of Abim (Helwa).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.