KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Multimedia Ministry views the issue of sexual harassment seriously, says its minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

       He said sexual harassment is not a trivial issue, adding that it was in fact a criminal offence.

       “This issue will not be resolved by treating any party involved lightly. Instead, it requires the efforts of the media and authorities, and those involved,” he said in a statement on Facebook in response to a news report published by a local daily.

       Annuar said the report on his views on sexual harassment had been misconstrued and did not reflect his stance.

       “I received a WhatsApp message from the reporter for an interview who suggested sexual harassment in the country’s creative industry as the topic of the interview but I suggested the interview discuss my main focus at the moment, which is the industry’s development to help art practitioners in the country,” he said, adding that he had alerted police on the matter. — Bernama