The Women’s Aid Organisation said that there has been an increase of stalking-related violence and the government needs to expedite the process of amending the Penal Code and introduce restraining orders against stalkers in the Criminal Procedure Code.
The organisation said the current system consistently failed women because it lacked protective measures against stalking.
“It is deeply concerning that many women are reluctant to report incidences of stalking as it is not an offence punishable by law. Instead, victims and survivors are left to live with the trauma and fear – or are brutally murdered,” it said.
WAO said that on April 14, a woman was stabbed to death by a man believed to be her boyfriend. The victim had made numerous police reports about stalking incidents, including break-ins by the man with the most recent occurring a month before her murder.
“Clearly, very little was done to protect her. If stalking had been a crime, the man would have been arrested and the police would have helped the victim get a protection order.
“This could have saved her life. Unfortunately, the government has continued to delay this critical law reform,” it said.
WAO added that according to a survey involving 1,008 Malaysians, one-third experienced stalking that instilled fear; 17% have experienced stalking resulting in harm and 12% were stalked and threatened with harm.
It also said that over 70% of these incidences involved victims being approached at their homes, workplaces or schools.
WAO pointed out that last year an “anti-stalking committee” comprising government agencies, WAO and the Bar Council prepared a policy paper recommending that stalking be made a crime.
It said a draft Cabinet paper was prepared by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department and received multi-partisan support.
However, WAO questioned why the government was still sitting on the reforms despite the agreement of all relevant stakeholders.
“We urgently call for the criminalisation of stalking to protect lives from this invisible crime. In doing so, this would create a safer Malaysia for all.”