KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in December.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said the bill will be tabled at Parliament's Lower House upon receiving Cabinet and Attorney-General Chambers (AGC) green light.
"We will try to work on this and once the bill has received approval from the Cabinet and Attorney-General Chambers, we will present it in December just before the (Dewan Rakyat) sitting ends," she said at a press conference in Parliament lobby here today.
Last month, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun told the Dewan Rakyat that the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was being improved, with stakeholder engagements ongoing and was expected the bill to be tabled this year.
Siti Zailah also called on the public to stop the exploitation of women following the recent rape joke controversy which emerged last week, whereby an actor at a talk show claimed he had to "restrain" himself while shooting a rape scene in a film. The video of the talk show had since gone viral.
"About ridiculing women's dignity as a joke, I strongly urge all parties not to exploit women for profit and publicity.
"I am disappointed because there are still parties who are willing to make the dignity of women a joke and think it is normal.
"All parties must care for and respect women and I thank all Malaysians who are concerned and sensitive to issues involving a woman's dignity," she said.
Siti Zailah also urged victims to lodge a police report to ensure action is taken against perpetrators.