PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Plantation Bhd (SDP) says it has found no basis to continue its probe into allegations of sexual harassment in its estates, as published by the Associated Press (AP), and has closed the case.
SDP said the complainant in the case had withdrawn her complaint in April 2019, two months after it was first submitted, adding that she did so voluntarily.
“As the complainant was steadfast about withdrawing the complaint, the company has accordingly closed the matter as there were no other witnesses to the alleged act,” SDP said in a statement today.
The company added that the NGO assisting the complainant was aware of this and had acknowledged this development.
When revisited, the complainant said she had no intention of reopening the case.
Another female colleague, said to have witnessed the harassment, also denied the incident ever took place, SDP added.
“Thus, without any evidence, witnesses or even a victim, we have no basis to pursue further investigations and have accordingly closed the case again.”
SDP said that both workers remained in their employ, but now with reinforced protection in place.
“We will ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our workforce, especially the more vulnerable.”
A report by AP, published by news outlets such as Al Jazeera and The Japan Times, had alleged rape and sexual assault on women working on oil palm plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia.
It reported that a woman working on a Sime Darby plantation had claimed her boss had made sexually explicit comments to her and that he would tail her in the fields as well as when she was using the bathroom.
Citing its zero-tolerance policy on any form of sexual or human rights transgressions, SDP promised to take swift action if it received any such allegations.