Ex-staff of renowned golf club presses cops on sexual harassment probe
Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
Published: Sep 21, 2025 10:00 AM
Updated: 1:07 PM
A former employee at the prestigious Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) is pushing police to investigate her claim of sexual harassment, alleging that the authority has yet to provide any meaningful updates despite a report filed earlier this year.
The ex-employee, who spoke with Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, filed a police report in February after a series of inappropriate WhatsApp messages from one of her superiors, who still works at RSGC.
While the incident initially occurred in December last year, the victim, who is in her early 30s, had only resorted to seeking police intervention after her dissatisfaction with RSGC’s internal avenues.
She said that while she had immediately informed a representative of the club’s human resources department (HR) of the messages, she opted against filing a formal complaint as she was told that she would come “under risk of termination” if she were to file a whistleblowing report.
“One of my colleagues then told (the implicated superior) that I had spoken to HR.
“A week after that, he called me in for a meeting with HR and proceeded to ‘sugarcoat’ the whole situation by claiming that I had a ‘wrong impression’ of his texts while admitting that maybe he had wrongly approached me,” the victim said.
The messages sighted by Malaysiakini showed that the superior requested the victim come to his office so that he could hug her and give her “sweets”, causing her to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
“Throughout my employment, he also winked at me multiple times, but I did not record the dates as I didn’t know (such details would be needed for an investigation).
“I just informed my (direct) boss and HR,” the victim added.
Published: Sep 21, 2025 10:00 AM
Updated: 1:07 PM
A former employee at the prestigious Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) is pushing police to investigate her claim of sexual harassment, alleging that the authority has yet to provide any meaningful updates despite a report filed earlier this year.
The ex-employee, who spoke with Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, filed a police report in February after a series of inappropriate WhatsApp messages from one of her superiors, who still works at RSGC.
While the incident initially occurred in December last year, the victim, who is in her early 30s, had only resorted to seeking police intervention after her dissatisfaction with RSGC’s internal avenues.
She said that while she had immediately informed a representative of the club’s human resources department (HR) of the messages, she opted against filing a formal complaint as she was told that she would come “under risk of termination” if she were to file a whistleblowing report.
“One of my colleagues then told (the implicated superior) that I had spoken to HR.
“A week after that, he called me in for a meeting with HR and proceeded to ‘sugarcoat’ the whole situation by claiming that I had a ‘wrong impression’ of his texts while admitting that maybe he had wrongly approached me,” the victim said.
The messages sighted by Malaysiakini showed that the superior requested the victim come to his office so that he could hug her and give her “sweets”, causing her to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
“Throughout my employment, he also winked at me multiple times, but I did not record the dates as I didn’t know (such details would be needed for an investigation).
“I just informed my (direct) boss and HR,” the victim added.
She said she finally decided to file a police report on Feb 25, two months after receiving the messages, as the superior had supposedly begun winking at her again, leaving her with a sense of unease.
However, following a meeting with an investigating officer on the same day, she said she was “advised” to retract her report, with the inspector tasked to her case allegedly cautioning her that the superior would likely hire a team of lawyers to counter her accusations.
On March 14, after securing legal advice on the matter, the victim filed another report seeking to reopen the case and urging police to conduct a probe under Section 509 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting a person’s modesty.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus
When contacted, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus confirmed that investigations into the case are ongoing and being expedited.
Tribunal affirms complaint
The victim had also escalated her complaints to the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment, which on June 12 determined that the superior’s conduct amounted to sexual harassment under Section 2 of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022.
According to the tribunal’s grounds of judgment sighted by Malaysiakini, the tribunal found that the messages sent by a superior to his subordinate “carry with it an implicit suggestion of physical contact… which was uninvited and inappropriate in a professional environment”.
“Regardless of the respondent’s stated intent or motive, the messages were objectively capable of being interpreted as sexual in nature, particularly when viewed in the context of a superior-subordinate relationship,” it added.
While the tribunal acknowledged the superior’s remorse, cooperation with its proceedings, willingness to apologise and the fact that the case was a “first-time incident”, it also ordered the superior to issue a statement of apology to the victim.
The victim, however, claimed that the day after the tribunal released its verdict, she was suddenly summoned without prior notice for a “domestic inquiry” organised by RSGC to probe her allegations - leaving her caught off guard and without any legal representation or chance to prepare herself.
She said that during the inquiry, the superior was allowed to “cross-examine” her before a panel, which also included a lawyer representing the club.
“Two weeks after the inquiry, (the superior) was cleared by the club.
“They said there are categories of sexual harassment, and since the tribunal did not award me monetary compensation, my case is ‘very light’,” she alleged.
She also asserted that her former direct boss, who testified as her “key witness” during the tribunal proceedings, was later suspended without pay, allegedly due to reasons connected to her case.
When contacted, Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus confirmed that investigations into the case are ongoing and being expedited.
Tribunal affirms complaint
The victim had also escalated her complaints to the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment, which on June 12 determined that the superior’s conduct amounted to sexual harassment under Section 2 of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022.
According to the tribunal’s grounds of judgment sighted by Malaysiakini, the tribunal found that the messages sent by a superior to his subordinate “carry with it an implicit suggestion of physical contact… which was uninvited and inappropriate in a professional environment”.
“Regardless of the respondent’s stated intent or motive, the messages were objectively capable of being interpreted as sexual in nature, particularly when viewed in the context of a superior-subordinate relationship,” it added.
While the tribunal acknowledged the superior’s remorse, cooperation with its proceedings, willingness to apologise and the fact that the case was a “first-time incident”, it also ordered the superior to issue a statement of apology to the victim.
The victim, however, claimed that the day after the tribunal released its verdict, she was suddenly summoned without prior notice for a “domestic inquiry” organised by RSGC to probe her allegations - leaving her caught off guard and without any legal representation or chance to prepare herself.
She said that during the inquiry, the superior was allowed to “cross-examine” her before a panel, which also included a lawyer representing the club.
“Two weeks after the inquiry, (the superior) was cleared by the club.
“They said there are categories of sexual harassment, and since the tribunal did not award me monetary compensation, my case is ‘very light’,” she alleged.
She also asserted that her former direct boss, who testified as her “key witness” during the tribunal proceedings, was later suspended without pay, allegedly due to reasons connected to her case.
Law firm denies alleged misdeeds
In a written response to Malaysiakini’s inquiry on the matter, a legal firm acting on behalf of RSGC affirmed the club had received a written complaint on the alleged sexual harassment against an employee on Feb 27, after which, two independent investigators were appointed on March 6.
Law firm Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill stated that the domestic inquiry was commenced pursuant to the investigators’ recommendations, with the inquiry holding that the superior was “not guilty” of the sexual harassment allegations.
It added that the club, however, issued a stern written warning to the superior while emphasising that RSGC would institute disciplinary action, including dismissal, for any future conduct which contravenes the club’s values or jeopardises the club’s operational integrity.
The firm also said the club’s decision took into account the tribunal’s findings.
“The club offered alternative working arrangements to the complainant to ensure that (she) did not have to continue working with (the superior in question) and encouraged (her) to report any further acts of harassment should this arise,” it stressed.
As such, the law firm highlighted that RSGC takes all allegations of sexual harassment seriously, stating: “Any suggestion that there was any attempt on the part of the club to conceal such a complaint is unfounded.
“The club reserves the right to take legal action against any persons making unsubstantiated allegations against the club (and) will continue to adopt the highest measures available to ensure a safe working environment for all our employees as well as members,” it said.
‘Incorrect, misleading’
Commenting on the victim’s claim about her former boss’ suspension, the law firm said the club had instructed it to convey that the information was “incorrect and misleading.”
“However, the club is not at liberty to provide details of the inaccuracies due to the club’s non-disclosure policy,” it added.
Based on information available on RSGC’s website, the club boasts a whistleblowing policy to communicate improper conduct such as “theft, fraud, sexual harassment, bribery, abuse of power, conflict of interest, and non-compliance with established policies and procedures”.
It also states that all received reports will be “expeditiously” reviewed and investigated by the club’s disciplinary sub-committee, with investigation results - including the validity of the allegations and accompanying recommendations - to be tabled to its committee for their consideration.
The website also notes that RSGC, established in 1893, has over 6,000 members comprising “royalty, cabinet, ministers, foreign diplomats, corporate leaders, captains of industry, professionals, and ordinary persons from different walks of life”.
Honorary members, it added, are the heads of state, the prime minister, and the deputy prime minister.
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