KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has said that he needs to obtain a detailed explanation from those allegedly involved in sexual harassment incidents as revealed by national diving queen, Datuk Pandelela Rinong, before taking any further action.
He said the government viewed seriously the issue of sexual harassment involving athletes, coaches and officials, saying that it needed to be firmly addressed.
“I must stand up for any athletes who have been involved and affected by such issues,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Independent-Muar) at the Dewan Rakyat today (Oct 26).
Syed Saddiq wanted to know the government’s stand on the issue and whether there was any plan to set up a high-level committee at the ministry level to look into sexual harassment complaints.
During the session, Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) also stood up asking Ahmad Faizal whether he was aware that there was no time limit to lodge any report involving criminal acts.
Ahmad Faizal once again stressed that he needed to get further information regarding the issue from all parties before action can be taken.
Meanwhile, the minister said he had asked the National Sports Council to give emphasis to gender training among athletes during training. – Bernama
