Govt to probe alleged harassment of M’sians by diplomats
KUCHING: The government will monitor issues involving the harassment of Malaysians by foreign diplomats.
According to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, her ministry would be working closely with Wisma Putra on the matter, of which she expresses her confidence that these issues could be handled by the concerned authorities.
‘Whatever the case is, it must be investigated and the source of the problem must be identified to ensure that it would not happen again,” she told reporters after attending the ‘Ihya Ramadan’ programme at Dewan Hikmah yesterday.
Rohani was commenting on the issue reported by national news agency Bernama on Malaysians working at a foreign embassy in Kuala Lumpur being sexually harassed at their workplace.
On ‘Ihya Ramadan’, Rohani said it is one of the ministry’s annual affairs in which it strives to create and foster the spirit of togetherness between itself, its strategic partners and focus groups.
“Malaysians, in general, are very generous – ever ready to assist those in need by channelling in aid and donations. In this regard, the ministry has set up MyCorporate Care as the channel to receive donations from corporate bodies and individuals,” the minister said.
Rohani believed that it is vital for the ministry to be able to shape the community up through its programmes and activities and at the same time, able to deliver to the focus groups especially the families and individuals in need.
“I always remind my staff to be up for the challenges, and to understand fully their roles and responsibilities to the community,” she said.
According to Rohani, the federal government sets aside RM150 million annually for some 50,000 clients – individuals such as senior citizens who receive monthly welfare assistance as well those who are eligible for disabled worker allowance.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was the guest of honour at the event yesterday, later presented aid to 200 individuals comprising those from various welfare homes, single mothers and senior citizens.
Also present were Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah; Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; and state Welfare Department director Abang Shamsuddin Abang Seruji.