Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Court upholds dismissal of technician convicted of harassing cleaner
A high court has rejected an appeal by a technician dismissed for sexually harassing a teenage cleaner, affirming that the worker's account was credible and the man's defence of accidental contact was not persuasive.
LSN Malaysia ·
Justice Alice Loke dismissed the technician's challenge to his termination, ruling that the Industrial Court properly assessed the evidence and made findings supported by the facts presented. The court found no legal basis to overturn the lower tribunal's decision to accept the cleaner's version of events.
The technician had argued that any physical contact with the 17-year-old cleaner was unintentional. However, Justice Loke determined that the Industrial Court was entitled to reject this explanation and accept the complainant's testimony instead.
The judgment reinforces the principle that workers alleging sexual harassment are entitled to have their accounts fairly evaluated by the courts. The decision is expected to have implications for similar workplace harassment cases across the region.
The case underscores ongoing concerns about the safety and dignity of young workers, particularly those in lower-wage occupations. Employment law experts note that the ruling provides important clarity on evidentiary standards in sexual harassment disputes brought before industrial tribunals.