MCA calls for anti-sexual harassment laws

PETALING JAYA: Tighter legislation and enforcement is needed to tackle the issue of sexual harassment, said MCA Youth vice-chairman Nicole Wong.

She urged the government to swiftly put in place legislation to deal with sexual harassment in reference to the case of a former aide to Deputy Home Minister Datuk Azis Jamman who was caught recording an upskirt video of a woman at an optometry shop last week.

“I urge the government to formulate anti-sexual harassment laws and deal directly with the relevant crime to serve as a deterrent,” she said in a statement.

As there is seldom any firm evidence in sexual harassment incidents, she said offenders would often get away with it.

“Coupled with the lack of enforcement or appropriate provisions in legislation, perpetrators will continue to remain unpunished while victims have to bear with the psychological scars and societal pressure if they choose to come forward with their accusations,” she said.

Wong said victims tend to suffer in silence as they fear the repercussions from reporting about sexual harassment instances.

MCA Youth, she said, was willing to help victims with legal assistance.

I urge the government to formulate anti-sexual harassment laws and deal directly with the relevant crime to serve as a deterrent. Nicole Wong