When Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (main image, left) occupied the top seat at Menara KBS in Putrajaya in August last year, he championed several initiatives. One of them was the creation of a Safe Sport Act.
However, the looming general election could derail plans for the draft of the Act to be tabled in Parliament.
As Malaysians will head to the polls on Nov 19, activists and stakeholders hope that work on the Safe Sport Act will continue regardless of the government of the day.
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) Penang programme director Karen Lai said the Safe Sport Act shouldn’t be abandoned due to politics.
“We stand by protecting all genders when it comes to harassment. It’s an obligation by the government to ensure the people are protected, as a matter of principle,” said Lai.
“It (Safe Sport Act) shouldn’t be abandoned just because there will be a change of minister or government.”
According to the International Olympic Council’s Consensus Statement (2016), safe sport is defined as an “athletic environment that is respectful, equitable, and free from all forms of harassment and abuse”.
WCC Penang and Sisters in Islam were among the organisations that supported the Safe Sport Act.
Lai stressed that there must be transparency and accountability in getting the Safe Sport Act tabled.
“We shouldn’t be held to political ransom. The same goes for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill. There are gaps, and we would like to pick them up, regardless of who becomes the next minister.
“The development of such acts shouldn’t be put on hold,” Lai added.
Ahmad Faizal, who was at the opening ceremony of the Aesthetic Group Gymnastics World Cup Finals 2022 at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam yesterday, said the tabling of the draft of the Safe Sport Act would take “some time” as it had to go through the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
However, the Tambun MP said that the Safe Sport Code of Conduct would be implemented in all sports associations in Malaysia by the end of this year.
Previously, Olympian Noraseela Khalid said the Act must oversee every aspect of safety in sports, including protecting young boys and girls and risk management.
Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation Malaysia president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil expressed hope that the incoming youth and sports minister will see the Act through.
“We hope to see some difference … and for women’s sports to get their due recognition. The same goes with the Safe Sport Act.”
Safe Sport Malaysia (SSM) president Sarina Sundara Rajah (main image, right) highlighted that the draft of the Act was supposed to be tabled in Parliament in December.
Sarina, a former national gymnast, added that a survey was carried out earlier this year, followed by a workshop in August.
“Safe Sport is slightly different from the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill. Our code is more about protecting young children and making sports fun, safe, welcoming, and inclusive.
“The youth and sports ministry secretary-general (Datuk M. Jana Santhiran) has been very helpful to our cause. If Jana remains in office, I am confident he can assist the new minister with the Safe Sport Act,” she added.
