He had earlier filed a motion to debate sexual harassment issues in relation to the recently reported incident where a government head of department was allegedly accused of sexually harassing housemen.
“It is regretted that the Parliament speaker (Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof) has rejected my motion, saying that the issue has been addressed by the health ministry when it set up an independent inquiry body.
“He (Ariff) did say that he viewed the sexual harassment case as a serious issue but yet he rejected the motion,” he said at the Parliament lobby.
According to Ramkarpal, after the health ministry launched a direct channel for victims to lodge their complaints, 38 cases were received.
“All these 38 cases were based on this one head of department.
“We don’t know how many more are out there.
“The fact that there are 38 cases tells us how serious this problem is and that it needs more than just an inquiry to prevent the problem from recurring, either in this hospital or elsewhere,” he said.
Referring to the independent inquiry body, Ramkarpal said it had limited enforcement powers.
“The most it can do is to recommend taking disciplinary action against the head of department.
“But if this issue is debated in Parliament, more solutions or better suggestions can be made and result in legislation to address sexual harassment issues for good,” he said.
Batu Kawan MP P Kasthuriraani said if there was an Act in place, offenders could be dealt with effectively.
“Right now, it is as if these offenders are getting a free pass to do whatever they want, knowing no laws can be enforced against them,” she said.
It was reported that the orthopaedic head had sexually harassed and made sexual advances against house officers.
After graduation, doctors have to undergo two years of housemanship before they can serve as medical officers or enter into practice.
Following the report, several lawmakers had called on the government to speed up the drafting of the Sexual Harassment Bill.
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