MPs Urge More Thorough Measures To Address Sexual Crimes Against Children
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat today put forward various proposals to strengthen efforts to combat sexual crimes against children, including expanding cross-border cooperation, establishing task forces and special prosecution units, as well as streamlining protection and rehabilitation assistance for victims.
During the debate session on the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Bill 2026, both government and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) supported the amendment while proposing several suggestions for improvement.
Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) said Malaysia needs to utilise the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) mechanism and extradition to ensure that child sexual predators operating from abroad do not escape legal action.
"Enforcement also needs to be strengthened through better coordination involving the Royal Malaysia Police, Immigration Department of Malaysia, Attorney-General's Chambers, Department of Social Welfare, hospitals, and educational institutions so that investigations, preservation of digital evidence, and prosecutions can be carried out more efficiently," he said during the session.
In agreement with him, Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) proposed the establishment of a special task force for digital sexual crimes against children that combines various relevant departments and agencies to expedite investigations and coordinate actions against cross-border cases.
She also urged the government to intensify digital safety education in schools and empower parents to be more aware of the early signs of online grooming and sexual exploitation of children.
"Our efforts cannot stop at just capturing and punishing the perpetrators. Victims must also be continuously rehabilitated through psychological support, financial assistance, identity protection and long-term recovery," she said.
Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) proposed the establishment of a special prosecution unit for sexual offences against children, an increase in the number of child psychology experts in public facilities, and the creation of a special fund to help victims cover the costs of psychological treatment, legal fees and rehabilitation.
She said the amendment to the act is important to close legal loopholes so that Malaysians do not make countries with weaker enforcement a location for committing sexual crimes against children.
Meanwhile, RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said besides expanding the legal jurisdiction over offences committed abroad, the government needs to strengthen domestic enforcement by increasing the membership of the investigative team handling child sexual crime cases.
Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) proposed the establishment of a database similar to the National Child Sexual Offender Registry that can be accessed in a controlled manner by enforcement agencies and child-related institutions such as schools, daycare centres, care centres and welfare homes.
"Those who have been convicted of sexual offences against children should not have the opportunity to return to work in environments that provide access to children.
"The government needs to mandate background checks for sexual crimes against all individuals who work or volunteer at welfare homes, nurseries, kindergartens, schools, tahfiz centres, religious institutions, sports clubs, and any organisations involving children," she said.
The amendment to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) aims, among other things, to ensure that Malaysia does not face jurisdictional constraints in taking action against perpetrators of child sexual crimes even if the offences occur outside the country.
A total of 26 MPs participated in the debate on the bill this afternoon, before the Dewan Rakyat session was adjourned and will resume tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
