Malaysians rise against sexual harassment, misconduct in schools and institutions of higher learning

Any complaint of sexual harassment and misconduct must be taken seriously and this seriousness is reflected when all political parties stood together against such criminal act against child exploitation and human decency.

Malaysian with moral fibre have cringed at reports of sexual harassment at our institutions of higher learning as well as schools, and many have been called to action including lawyers offering pro bono service to victims to seek redress.

More recently, a student uploaded a video lamenting that her teacher made callous remarks on rape during classes on reproductive health, including a statement that boys never complain of rape because it was "sedap" (pleasurable).

The BAD triumph when the GOOD do nothing
In speaking up against the issue of “period spot check”, and other forms of sexual harassments and abuses, allegations have emerged that this is not newsworthy, or that politicians are politicising this issue. However, to remain silent and apathetic, and to not do anything on sexual harassments against underage persons, when one is in a position to make a difference, renders one equally culpable of permitting such abuses to permeate.

In voicing up for the voiceless, society is and educating empowering the child on her/his rights and dignity, to prevent the child from growing up into misguidedly believing that sexual harassments against minors or adults is something acceptable. It is about respect begetting respect.

Universal condemnation
Women political leaders on both sides of the aisle were united to speak out in condemnation of the practice of teachers and persons of authority of boarding schools, MARA Colleges and institutions of higher learning telling students to show proof they were menstruating to skip prayer sessions and fasting.

Malaysian reaction to this issue shows that society is united against sexual harassment and misconduct. Political parties from both sides of aisle have spoken against the abhorring practice of menstruation checks showing political will to stop such practice. Now, the onus is on the government to show action. A slap on the wrist may not suffice to placate the national uproar and those found guilty must be brought to justice so that this practice is stopped permanently without wriggling room.

To be fair to MARA, I have been told that the institution does not have any policy of menstruation spot checks and that any such practice was privately instituted by its supervising staff not in conforming with MARA standard operating procedures. A MARA official said such staff will most certainly face disciplinary action after completion of internal inquiry now underway.

From conversations with my political colleagues, we give assurance that we will press the government to guarantee the sanctity of our educational institutions and that our young ones, have a safe and secure place to study everywhere in Malaysia.

Notably, even PAS has called for action against the culprits. Religion cannot be used as an excuse to violate children and this is one promise that even my compatriots from PAS Muslimat would agree.

Response by PAS Muslimat
PAS' Gerakan Wanita Sejahtera (Women Solidarity Movement) (GWS) chairman, Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to immediately investigate complaints from female students over practice of menstruation spot checks, sex assault and grooming in schools which had been highlighted in social media since 21 April 2021.

GWS felt that the media reports should serve to alert the authorities to enhance surveillance and protection of students from sexual harassment and misconduct. GWS stress that schools should offer a safe environment to deliver the highest standards of education to youths. Hence, the delivery of education must meet the highest degree of morality and ethics. The acts of harassment against the dignity of female students must be stopped, GWS said.

Wan Hasrina stressed that Islam prescribes a culture of healthy association with mutual respect between male and female students as well as between students and teachers, and this should be nurtured vigorously in education institutions so that every student, especially women, is respected as Islam demands.

Common responses by politicians across both divides as well as civil society groups
Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, who is also Bersatu Srikandi (women’s wing) chief, had expressed "shock" over the reports of menstruation spot checks in schools, and she will engage the Education Ministry and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to ensure the practice ends. "This is unacceptable and shouldn't happen in schools, I take this seriously," Rina said on April 23.

Additionally, Bersatu exco Ainie Haziqah said it is mortifying such misconduct is still happening to our students now without any measures being taken against the perpetrators. This is disgusting, she said.

Wanita UMNO chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said the act of a teacher touching female students at school to prove that the student is menstruating is abhorring. "This is very shocking and embarrassing, more so that it is still happening today. We need to carefully examine the polemics on this issue. But if this allegation is true, the relevant parties need to take appropriate action to ensure that this matter is stopped immediately and not repeated again.

While respecting the privacy of the students and to prevent them from further humiliation, our party’s women’s wing asserts that the authorities must shield the identities of the victims, yet be transparent in reporting the outcome of their investigations and actions to be taken. These must not be limited to an internal inquiry and disciplinary measures but should be expanded to legal action and police reports where necessary, counselling for the affected victims and follow up even after the victims have completed their studies.

Wanita MCA chief, Datuk Heng Seai Kie, has offered free legal advice to victims and their parents via its Legal Advisory and Women’s Aid Centre (LAWA). "We also urge more victims, or their parents, to not be shy but to also come forward and speak up against any personal violations they had experienced during their schooling and tertiary years," Heng said.

School-going and tertiary years are a time when teachers, educators or anyone in a position of authority and trust should instil the values of respecting another person’s body, recognise sexual grooming instead of behaving otherwise. Teach impressionable minors safeguarding ie which sort of touches are acceptable as opposed to inappropriate ones, Heng added.

We also note that former Deputy Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh highlighted checking students’ menstrual cycles causes embarrassment to the students and was a violation of child rights. She said the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child had to be instilled in “every institution and layer of society” in the country.

Former Deputy Minister for Education, Teo Nie Ching pointed out there was no official guideline that allowed teachers to conduct “period spot checks”. Teo said schools should be a safe place to educate children, instil good values and show love and humanity.

Former Minister of International Trade Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Datuk Azalina Othman Said have expressed shock and anger on the issue. 

"That is totally disgusting and a violation of a person's privacy. No religion gives such permission. The Education Ministry must act to put a stop to this nonsense and lay out clear ground rules on how schools including boarding schools treat students," Rafidah has reportedly said, adding there was absolutely no excuse for anyone to invade another person's privacy in any manner, no matter what the reason.

Deputy speaker Azalina described menstruation spot checks as pure harassment. "This is moral and religious policing that oversteps the basic human right to dignity. It's a violation and pure harassment," she said, noting if it happened to her, she would be traumatised for life.

Civil society were also abhorred by the menstruation spot check issue. Women’s rights groups, All Women’s Action Society, Sisters in Islam and Pertubuhan Pembangunan Kendiri Wanita and Gadis have also called for immediate action, stressing menstruation spot checks was a form of sexual abuse of children. Such incidents reportedly happening in our educational institution, including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, boarding schools particularly Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), and even universities, reflected in a systemic toxic culture of patriarchy, sexism, harassment, abuse, bullying and religious policing, which victimises innocent young Malaysians. “This denotes a chilling prediction for our future adult citizens,” they said in a joint statement.

With universal condemnation against the practice of “period spot checks”, it becomes incumbent for the authorities to bring such mis-actions to a permanent halt, pronto.

Dr Pamela Yong
MCA Deputy Secretary General
Wanita MCA Sabah Chairperson

-MCA Online-