Special guidelines for handling cases on sexual offences against children to be updated next year, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: The special guidelines for handling cases on sexual offences against children will be updated to a new version in January 2024, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).

According to Azalina, the update will consider current developments in the amendment of relevant laws and keep pace with information technology advancements.

“It will also address the challenges faced by agencies and incorporate the special measures introduced by the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Act 2023, Evidence of Child Witness (Amendment) Act 2023, and other upcoming amendments in the next Parliament session,” she told reporters during her visit to the child interview center at Bukit Aman on September 12.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain was also present.

Azalina mentioned that the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department will collaborate with the Office of the Chief Registrar, Federal Court to address this matter.

Furthermore, she highlighted that the Legal Affairs Division will work together with the Communications and Digital Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to amend the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). This amendment aims to enact laws or mandatory industry codes to block child abuse content online.

When asked about the progress in establishing the Children’s Commission, Azalina stated that the proposed bill would be presented in Parliament next month.

She emphasized that once the Children’s Commission is formed, it will function as an independent body and observer for all matters related to children.

“The Children’s Commission will also serve as the main reference center for handling undocumented and refugee children in Malaysia and can potentially serve as a model for other countries,” Azalina added.

Currently, the Children’s Commission falls under the purview of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), but Azalina intends for it to operate independently.

– Bernama