COMMENT | The Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group, comprising the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality, Engender and Young Women Making Change, welcomes the passing of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021. We thank and congratulate the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry on this significant milestone.

Women’s groups across Malaysia have lobbied for 30 years for this legislation. We could not have made it a reality without the support of our members of Parliament, some of whom have journeyed consistently with us over the years for a comprehensive and survivor-centric law.

We are heartened by their solidarity, particularly during the rigorous parliamentary debate on the bill, where many of them raised issues which were constructive and critical for its effective implementation.

We also commend our elected representatives for calling out sexist behaviour and the use of profanities in Parliament during the debate, upholding their stance against harassment and violence in line with the spirit of the bill.

With the passing of the bill, victims can look forward to expeditious, affordable and accessible redress via the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment.

We would like to reiterate three key areas which must be looked into...