Women’s Sports and Fitness Foundation Malaysia (WSFFM) vice-president Datin Rosmawati Abdul Halim welcomes the proposed Safe Sport Act by the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Rosmawati, who was appointed to her post early this year, said it is good to have such policies to protect those in the sports industry, but warned that enforcement must be given top priority.
“I am glad the Youth and Sports Ministry is pushing for the draft of this Act to be tabled in Parliament by December,” said Rosmawati, a retired lecturer.
“However, my biggest worry is that while we can have policies and Acts, we sometimes fail when it comes to enforcement. We need to buck up in this regard to make sure those who commit wrongdoings are punished.
“But I would like to congratulate the Youth and Sports Ministry for being proactive in pushing for the Safe Sport Act. This is a good lesson for other ministries. It shows what can be achieved if everyone works together.”
Rosmawati was right to highlight enforcement as a problem area.
In 2017, a task force was set up to study issues related to sexual and psychological harassment among elite athletes.
Headed by former track queen Datuk Marina Chin, the task force submitted its recommendations to then Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin. That was the last she heard of it.
Rosmawati also said Malaysia should look to other countries with similar acts and learn what should be in the Safe Sport Act.
“The United States is one of them. We should see how they did it and make sure there are no loopholes or gaps in our Act,” she said.
“Also, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, 2021 may be passed soon. Perhaps, the Youth and Sports Ministry can see how the Safe Sport Act can complement it.”
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”.
Previously, Olympian Noraseela Khalid said the Act must oversee every aspect of safety in sports, including protecting young boys and girls, and risk management.
Last week, the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), Penang, and Sisters in Islam backed the Act.
WCC programme director, Karen Lai said: “There will always be certain groups susceptible to sexual harassment or sexual abuse, including people working in male-dominated environments, such as sports.
“We definitely support a safe environment in sports, whether it is for athletes, or coaches,” Lai added.