Victims of stalking can apply for protection order under new amendment to Act 593 - Mas Ermieyati

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Victims of stalking will be able to apply for a protection order as soon as the alleged perpetrator of the crime is investigated by the police, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

She said under the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill (No. 2) 2022, a protection order would be applied for in accordance with Section 98A(1) ex parte, and the application could be submitted by the victim, the victim's representative, or the guardian of a child or disabled person.

"Under the amendment, when a case is settled in court and if it occurs again, the victim can re-apply (for a protection order) and the court has the discretion to grant a new protection order to the victim," she said when winding up the tabling of the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

Earlier, when presenting the Bill for the second reading, Mas Ermieyati said the amendment to Act 593 was to provide legal protection to victims of stalking through a protection order issued by the court.

She said the amendment was also created based on the philosophy of curbing the crime of stalking and at the same time, helping reduce victims’ anxiety, fear and trauma.

"In conclusion, concern for the protection of victims of stalking in this country is expected to bring harmony and social stability in the country and further improve the well-being of the community," she said.

The Bill was then unanimously approved by the Dewan Rakyat.

The Dewan Rakyat also approved the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 to amend the Penal Code (Act 574) by making provisions for the offence of stalking as well as punishments for the offence.

The Bill, among other things, states that anyone who commits the offence of stalking shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years, or with a fine, or both.

-- BERNAMA