KUALA LUMPUR: The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) has welcomed the government's announcement that a cabinet paper on making stalking an offence is being prepared.
Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) Datuk Seri Rina Harun said this in a written reply dated July 21 to P. Kasthuriraani (DAP-Batu Kawan).
The cabinet paper is being prepared by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Office (BHEUU).
"We urge the government, in particular Datuk Seri Rina Harun and Law Minister Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan to prioritise this legal reform.
"Making stalking an offence will protect Malaysians, is in line with international practice, is supported by government frontliners and NGOs, and enjoys bipartisan support.
"Stalking is currently not a crime in Malaysia, so if someone repeatedly contacts you, follows you, or shows up at places you frequent – in a way that would reasonably cause fear or emotional distress – there is little that the authorities can do.
"There is also no legal provision for stalking survivors to obtain a restraining order," WAO said in a statement, today.
The non-governmental organisation said making stalking an offence will put Malaysia in line with international practice.
Countries which have specific legal provisions on stalking include, for example: Philippines, Japan, Australia, Afghanistan, India, Singapore, Mongolia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.
This legal reform on stalking began in 2019. The process has been coordinated by a multi-stakeholder committee, which includes BHEUU, KPWKM, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Attorney General's Chambers, the Welfare Department, the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Home Ministry, the Bar Council, and WAO.
The proposed stalking law has received bipartisan support from various MPs, across the political divide.
