Malaysian senator Mohamad Imran Abd Hamid has proposed a sexual harassment law that protects men from "a woman's way of speaking and dressing".

His counter-intuitive proposal is rationalised on the basis that women could lead men to be seduced into committing sexual crimes, reported Malaysiakini.

And such sexual crimes include "incest, rape, inappropriate touching and (watching) pornography", the member of Anwar Ibrahim's People's Justice Party (PKR), said.

"Good viewpoint"

Imran added that the suggestion is "important" as the "actions and clothing of women can seduce men into breaking the law and cause them to get charged (with a crime)".

Addressing his proposal to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who was in charge of Islamic Affairs, Imran said: "I ask that the minister consider this so that the men in this country are safe, and the country is peaceful."

In response, Senate Deputy President Abd Halim Abd Samad said Imran's suggestion was a "good viewpoint".

While a sexual harassment law has been in the works for years, Imran's proposal is the first that sees the issue in such a way.

Not the first time

This is not the first time that Imran has made such comments.

Back in 2015, as Lumut Member of Parliament (MP), Imran said the "sexy attire" of athletes may lead to illicit sex (zina), according to Malaysiakini.

"The participants wear sexy, arousing clothes and mix freely (both sexes), so we fear that this might lead to illicit sex," he said.

Aside from commenting on sexual issues, Imran has also upset the families of the Malaysian victims of Flight MH17 in 2014 by saying the mourning ceremony for the victims was "excessive".

Called out for victim-blaming

Imran's suggestion was criticised by Wanita PKR chief Haniza Talha, who told Malaysiakini that "decently dressed" women were raped too.

"The one that needs protection are victims of sexual abuse, and not the abusers and rapists," she said.

Imran's proposal was also condemned by the All Women's Action Society (AWAM), a women's rights organisation in Malaysia, which said perpetrators "must take responsibility for their own actions".

"...It is the perpetrator who must take responsibility for their own actions. The idea that victims are unable to access justice or demand some form or redress after undergoing such a dehumanizing experience simply adds to the creation of a culture of fear and violence."

— All Women’s Action Society (@AWAMMalaysia) July 31, 2019

The AWAM has previously accused the Malaysian authorities of not taking sexual harassment seriously enough, saying that they even laugh at alleged victims which in turn emboldens perpetrators, Malaysiakini reported.

Top image via mediarakyat