BY: Michelle Liew
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa stated that the issue of sexual harassment in the country’s entertainment industry should not be made a polemic but we should collectively focus on taking prompt action, as it is wrong in law.
He explained that sexual harassment is not a trivial issue, and it can cause a ruin one’s mental health apart from physical health.
He has also informed that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) should take further action if there are complaints of sexual harassment in the country’s entertainment industry.
“Importantly, victims of sexual harassment need to report to the authorities so that further action can be taken.
“I ask that the police to follow up if there are complaints (sexual harassment) in the industry, for example during filming.
“I ask that the police to investigate proactively and take action. There is no need for polemics because we have the law,” he said to reporters after during the Seventh International Visual Informatics Conference (IVIC’21).
Many speculate the issue was brought up due to an incident where several artists have made rape jokes and consequently, created an unsafe environment for female actresses or artists. Malaysians have taken it to social media to condemn the industry’s lack of action when it comes to issues of sexual harassment and urged the government to take strict action.
