Minister says cops can interrogate children without parents’ consent or presence

Police have the power to interrogate children without the permission or presence or their parents or guardian in cases involving the Criminal Procedure Code, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (pic).

However, she said, in cases investigated under the Child Act 2001 through the Sexual, Abuse and Child Investigation Department (D11), the child should be interrogated in the presence of the welfare officer, parents or guardian.

"My ministry works closely with D11 in closely monitoring the welfare of these children. The officers from this division have been specially trained to handle such cases.

"The public should not be unduly worried as whatever case investigated, whether involving the Criminal Procedure Code or Child Act, we at the ministry will ensure that the children's welfare is safeguarded," she told reporters after visiting the Malacca Urban Transformation Centre today.

Rohani was responding to a statement by the Bar Council's Constitutional Law Committee chairman and human rights advocate Edmund Bon who suggested that parents sue the police if their child under 18 years of age was interrogated by the police without their presence.

Bon in a news portal on September 5 was also reported to have said that police had violated Section 113 of the Child Act by questioning pupils of SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, over the controversy of pupils having to eat in the school's changing room.

Rohani, however, said the section stated by Bon had nothing to do with the case investigated by the police as it did not fall under the Child Act.

"Section 113 of the Child Act only applies to offences under this Act, not other Acts. So far, we don't have clear facts under what law the investigation was conducted but definitely not under the Child Act," she said. - Bernama