SHAH ALAM - Recently, the country has been shocked by a distressing sexual harassment case involving a female employee of a local bank in Bercham, Ipoh.
The woman faced continuous harassment, intimidation and ultimately suspension for reporting sexual harassment against her by her superior.
This case sparked widespread protests, highlighting ongoing concerns about workplace misconduct.
May 2021
The harassment began when the victim's superior allegedly sent her a lewd message via WhatsApp, requesting that she accompany him and sending inappropriate stickers and images. This initial incident marked the start of a series of troubling interactions.
Oct 6, 2021
The victim, formally lodged a complaint against her superior. She reported receiving sexually explicit and inappropriate messages. Despite her repeated attempts to seek protection, the bank's management did not take decisive action, allowing the man to remain in his position and continue his harassment.
Aug 16, 2024
After enduring ongoing harassment and intimidation, the victim lodged a police report for sexual harassment and bully by her superior. This step was taken after multiple grievances filed with the bank remained unaddressed.
Aug 19, 2024
The victim informed the bank that she lodged a complaint against her superior on Oct 6, 2021, but no effective action had been taken. She expressed her frustration over the lack of progress and insisted on following the grievance process with union's involvement, rather than attending an investigative interview.
Aug 20, 2024
The bank issued a letter requiring the victim to attend an investigative interview. However, when she refused, citing ongoing harassment and procedural concerns, the bank suspended her. The suspension was effective immediately, with the victim barred from entering the bank's premises and placed on half pay for the first two weeks.
Aug 22, 2024
The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) issued a statement condemning the bank's handling of the case. NUBE demanded justice for the victim. It urged the bank to address the issue and pledged to continue protesting until the matter was resolved. The union also promised legal action to ensure accountability.
Aug 29, 2024
The bank responded by denying the allegations of unfair treatment and harassment. The bank claimed that the matter was under legal review and that it had followed necessary procedures. The Malayan Commercial Banks' Association (MCBA) supported this stance, backing bank's position.
NUBE rejected bank's denial, accusing the bank of misrepresenting the situation to avoid accountability. The union emphasised that the case had not yet entered the courts, contrary to the bank's claims and accused the bank of using legal processes to delay justice.
NUBE also called for an independent investigation into the bank's top management and urged stakeholders, including Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and the government, to hold the bank accountable.
Since early August, protests have erupted nationwide at various of the bank's branches, including recent demonstrations at Jalan Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur.
The protests, led by NUBE, have been held in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Georgetown, Penang and Kota Bharu, Kelantan with participants demanding accountability from the bank for mishandling the case.
Yesterday, about 50 protesters gathered in Kuala Lumpur, carrying placards with messages like "CEO talam dua muka" (two-faced CEO) and chanting slogans such as "Hidup Rakyat" and singing "everywhere we go, people want to know why we picket."
The protest, lasting an hour from 6pm, was attended by NUBE secretary-general J. Solomon and NUBE vice- president Mohd Faisal Husin among others.
Faisal when contacted today said NUBE has five branches across Peninsular Malaysia, with picket lines formed by NUBE members around these branch locations.
On average, he said around 500 people from five NUBE branches have been participating in these pickets daily after working hours.
NUBE members also picketed at several of the bank's locations including Jalan Medan Tuanku, Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Kebun Sultan, Kota Bharu, and Greentown, Ipoh, Perak, Seberang Jaya, Penang and Jalan Hang Tuah in Melaka on Wednesday.
Over the past few weeks, pickets have taken place in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Seremban, Melaka, Johor, Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perak.
Sinar Daily tried to reach out to Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and the bank for comments, but they have yet to respond.