KUALA LUMPUR: The government has approved proposed amendments to laws on sexual crimes against children.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the amendments involved the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.
She said they included the addition of measures to protect children, establishing new categories of offences and compensation for victims.
"The amendments will bring about positive change in the criminal justice system with regard to Malaysian children," she said in the winding-up session of the 2023 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Azalina was responding to a question from Young Syefura Othman (Pakatan Harapan-Bentong) on the government's plan to amend laws on sexual offences against children.
Azalina, citing the Out of the Shadows international index, said Malaysia was ranked 23rd out of 60 countries in the response to child sexual exploitation and abuse.
She said it was important that the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 be reviewed even though it was implemented only five years ago.
"As technology develops and new methods of abuse are used both online and offline, laws need to be amended to prevent and punish abusers.
"The government must ensure the justice system is safely accessible to child victims and that the interest of the child is prioritised.
"The amendments are to ensure a more holistic protection of victims or witnesses through the legal system."
She added that the amendments would be done in two phases.
The first phase would involve three recommendations in the current parliamentary sitting.
The second phase would be carried out in the next parliamentary sitting after further discussions with stakeholders, she said.
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