.JPG "Nurul Izzah Anwar speaks during a forum on sexual harassment at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysiau00e2u20acu2122s Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur October 30, 2018. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Firdaus Latif")
CHERAS, Oct 30 — A new Bill being mulled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry for sexual harassment cases will ensure that false accusations do not happen, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said today.
She said the Bill will not only focus on protecting victims of sexual harassment who step forward, but also ensure justice for the accused.
“The law will give due diligence and process to the accused, that goes without saying,” Nurul Izzah said at a forum organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on sexual harassment here.
She said she had met with several women rights groups, including the Joint Action Group and Women’s Aid Organisation over the matter.
Nurul Izzah also said that Impact Assessment study on the Bill is scheduled to be completed by January next year
“On my part I will discuss the matter with different legal stakeholders and then submit my own suggestions to the ministry as well,” Nurul Izzah said.
Once the Bill has been properly formulated by the ministry, it would then be up to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to see it through.
“I think it is important at the end of the day for (Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office) Datuk VK Liew, among others, to be a part of the process.
“Another issue is the approval in Parliament. As indicated by the backlash against the proposal to abolish the death penalty, this Bill will require a lot of awareness and support from the ground,” she said.
