Women’s outfits should not be used as an excuse for sexual harassment, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said.

Most women become victims in the issue and it is not fair that various reasons are brought against them.

He said he personally viewed sexual harassment issues as serious, which if not dealt with, can become a crime.

“I personally agree with the proposal that the (Sexual Harassment Act) is enacted by the government... although some provisions may be used against those who commit this offence under the Penal Code, but we need a special act.

"This matter also received my attention as a minister, as there were several cases resulting in rape incidents," he said in his speech on winding up the debate at the Malaysian Youth Parliament in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The proposal to hasten the enactment of the Sexual Harassment Act was among the four motions approved by the Malaysian Youth Parliament which sat for two days from yesterday.

Other proposals include to improve the implementation of caning as one form of punishment for school students; condemning the resolution to phase out palm oil exports from the European Union biofuel programme and on improving the policy on home and property ownership for youths.

Khairy said the resolution gave a very negative picture of the palm oil industry, and the world's palm oil producers need to take proactive measures to correct the wrong perception by providing true and accurate information about the industry.

“I assure you that our leader, Prime Minister Najib Razak is the most vocal person to protest against the action of the European Parliament.

“In fact, the prime minister has asked that Malaysia take appropriate action if the European Union agrees not to allow palm oil as a biofuel,” he said.

Khairy said all the motions discussed and decided in the two-day sitting would be submitted to the cabinet.

- Bernama