Sabah govt urges sexual harassment victims to step forward

 By Olivia Miwil - October 22, 2021 @ 7:09pm

Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (second left) presented grant to one of the women association at Kimanis Ballroom, Hyatt. -NSTP/IZWAN ABDULLAH

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has urged sexual harassment victims to step forward and lodge police reports.

Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, commenting in the wake of reports of sexual misconduct of a high-ranking state government officer, said a thorough investigation will be conducted on these claims.

"As of now, I have been informed (of the incident) based on information on social media and newspaper reports on the alleged sexual misconduct related to a state government official.

"On behalf of the Women's Affairs Department, which is under my ministry, we are requesting that a thorough investigation be conducted on the individual in line with the government circular on sexual harassment at the workplace.

"Women or individuals who became victims of sexual harassment can also contact the police and Sabah Women's Affairs Department to get counselling and legal assistance if needed," he said.

He was speaking after the handover of RM150,000 welfare grants to 20 associations registered under the department.

The Sabah Wildlife Department had earlier announced that it had taken action against the officer on Oct 20 under Sabah State Public Officers Regulations No. 225(2) for offences under Regulation 209(2)(a) and 209(2)(b) for making statements containing sexual harassment elements on his Facebook page on Oct 18.

Sabah Wildlife director Augustine Tuuga said the officer would also be relieved from the Wildlife Rescue Unit but remain in the department.

Apart from sexual harassment, the officer was also alleged to have misappropriated public funds, which led to the lack of staff and animal welfare.

The Wildlife Department had asked for clarification from the Malaysian Palm Oil Council on March 8, 2019, but reports indicated that those funds were approved based on the officer managing the finances.

Yesterday, Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All Sabah (Serata) and the CSO Platform for Reform (Sabah Chapter) had issued a statement to urge the government to look into the issue.

It was endorsed by 38 civil society organisations and 289 individuals including Sabah Wildlife's working partners Danau Girang Field Centre, Friends of the Orangutans (Malaysia), Future Alam Borneo and Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa), among others.