KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 – While the anti-sexual harassment tribunal will initially be established in the Klang Valley, it may be expanded to other states in stages as needed, said Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Aiman Athirah Sabu.
She cited Section 12 (3) of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 which states that “the tribunal may sit in one or more sittings on such day and at such time and place as the president may determine.”
“It is not static, it is very dynamic,” said Aiman while winding up the debate on the supply bill 2024 for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) at the Dewan Negara yesterday.
She added that if necessary, KPWKM will examine the implementation of allowing the tribunal to convene at any place to accommodate the relevant parties.
However, as a start, the tribunal will be set-up in the Klang Valley, said the deputy minister. “This implementation is similar to the way other tribunals in the country have been established with their head office first and then their operations expanded from time to time at the state level.”
Aiman was responding to a suggestion from Senator Noraini Idris, who is also Sabah Umno Wanita chief, for anti-sexual harassment tribunals to be established in Sabah and Sarawak.
The anti-sexual harassment tribunal is expected to begin hearing cases by end of this month from her ministry in Putrajaya, according to KPWKM Minister Nancy Shukri. She said that while a premise for the tribunal has been acquired, it is currently undergoing renovation.
The appointment of the members of the tribunal has also yet to be announced including the roles of president and deputy president, which will be appointed by the attorney-general.
