SEREMBAN: The government is expected to table a new bill in the upcoming Parliamentary sitting in October to transform the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) into an independent entity with greater authority to uphold and protect the rights of the country's approximately 9.5 million children.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the OCC was currently a division under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).
By turning the OCC into an independent body, she said, it was hoped that the commission could look into ways and assist the government in its efforts to accelerate the rate of disposal of child abuse cases and to ensure that such cases would not go underreported.
"We have to take (the OCC) out (of Suhakam) and make the commission really independent. This is because Suhakam mostly handles matters and cases related to human rights.
"The OCC has to look beyond human rights. In addition, there are several ministries that look after the rights of children. Therefore, the OCC is to complement the existing government ministries and agencies.
"Most importantly, the OCC (once it is transformed into an independent entity) will look into improving the standards and policies when it comes to children," she told reporters after visiting the infrastructure of the Children's Court at the Seremban Court Complex.
The bill to make the OCC an independent body, said Azalina, was almost ready and the cabinet paper on the matter has already been circulated.
"The cabinet will decide the extent of power of the OCC. Having that said, I believe that the power to investigate or make arrests lies with the enforcement agencies.
"We want the OCC to be independent and not a government agency so that the commission is able to monitor and provide assistance to government agencies and comes with the best practices related to protecting the rights of children.
"We cannot be defensive when it comes to children's rights. Our children are the future of the nation. Therefore, we must provide them with full protection," she said.
On a related matter, Azalina said the rate of disposal of child sexual abuse cases currently stood at 72.6 per cent.
"My wish list is, of course, to achieve 100 per cent in the rate of disposal of child sexual abuse cases. However, the current rate is considered quite good, though I hope we can do better," she said.
She added that a total of 6,791 child sexual abuse cases around the country were reported as of July.
Kelantan, she said, has the highest number of child sexual abuse cases at 1,097.
"If it is possible, I want to give a message that early or fast disposal of the cases is to show the non-tolerance of the government for such cases. However, to achieve this, the country needs more Sessions Court judges who are currently handling beyond just one case.
"And I believe the judges also want to dispose the cases as fast as possible. However, the road to justice has to be fair.
"The element of natural justice is something that this country has always held on to. We have to be fair to the victims, the defence counsels, as well as the witnesses," she said.
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