KUALA LUMPUR: Incidentally, days after a police report was lodged against a swimming coach for alleged sexual misconduct, the National Sports Institute (NSI) held its first Safe Sports Code seminar in Bukit Jalil today which was officiated by Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.
The objective of the programme is to establish a sport environment that is free of sexual harassment, bullying, psychological and physical abuse.
The seminar was a collaboration between the Sports Minstry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Among those in attendance were NSI chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Ramli, Malaysia Social Institute director Dr Faridah Awang, former bowler Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, ex-pole vaulter Roslinda Samsu and national shooter Johnathan Wong.
Yeoh said: "The government, through the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, has enacted the Anti-Harassment Act Sexuality 2022 (Act 840) as a specified act to handle sexual harassment.
"The enforcement of this act has been implemented in stages from March 28, 2023.
"In addition, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an implementation guidelines initiative for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Programme on March 8, 2023. The Sports Ministry is one of the partners," said Yeoh.
She said the Sports Ministry will ensure that the Safe Sports Code is extended to grassroots level, including schools.
A soft copy of the Safe Sports Code is available for download on the Sports Ministry's website www.kbs.gov.my.
The coach, accused of sexual misconduct at the Paralympic Centre of Excellence in Kampung Pandan, has been told to go on leave amid a Police investigation.
Yeoh also said that some swimmers want the coach to continue guiding them for the Paris Paralympic Games.
