KUALA LUMPUR: One month after taking office, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh remains resolute in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all athletes.
In light of the recent slapping incident involving a state youth coach and two of his charges, Yeoh has reasserted the importance of protecting athletes and youth beyond sexual harassment, bullying, and physical abuse.
The proposed Safe Sport Act is one of the safety mechanisms being considered.
Speaking to Timesport in a recent interview, Yeoh who turns 44 on Monday, said: "I've been briefed by our Ministry that when they were looking into Safe Sport, that was before the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act was passed in Parliament."
"The challenge now is do we want Safe Sport as an Act or a Code?
"Safe Sport is not only about sexual harassment, you have the penal code for example.
"I told them (Ministry) to do a comparison and tell me, especially in light of the recent (slapping) case, how can we better protect our athletes and create that safe environment?"
Yeoh, who was previously Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, is expecting a barrage of questions on Safe Sport when Parliament convenes next month.
"This safe environment goes beyond sexual harassment, bullying, and physical abuse. It must apply to people who come into contact with the athletes, not just coaches. Spectators, vendors providing services and parents are all coming into that space.
"There are a lot of considerations that I've told our legal team to look into, and they have to come back and brief me.
"I can expect that in February, when Parliament meets, there will be a lot of questions on Safe Sport.
Meanwhile, Yeoh disclosed that she has asked the National Sports Council (NSC) to update her with a report on the victim of a rape case from 2017.
It was alleged then, that a former national diving coach had raped a 20-year-old national diver at the dry gym in Bukit Jalil, and was charged in the Sessions Court.
The 41-year-old China national was, however, acquitted three times and now walks free.
"I have asked the NSC to update me on the report of the victim, I want to know if the victim is doing well.
"They are arranging for me to meet and understand more about the case.
"The details, however, I've not had a look at," said Hannah, who is a former lawyer herself.