Children who engage in underage sex - regardless of gender - need protection, guidance, and rehabilitation, instead of simply being punished, said Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri.
Nancy said that as children, they deserve to be given a second chance to learn from their mistakes and rebuild themselves without being burdened by trauma and stigma.
Hence, this was not a matter that could be resolved through law enforcement alone, she asserted.
"This matter needs to take into account the children's self-development emotionally, cognitively, socially, and so on. This can help the children evaluate themselves on the consequences of their actions.
"As such, the ministry's main focus in this issue is to prioritise counselling, education, and organised support to ensure the (children's) development and future wellbeing," she said in a statement today.
Her comments came amid national discourse over statutory rape, after Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said girls who engage in "consensual" sex should also be punished.
Yusoff said he would discuss the proposal with the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department, among others.
Misunderstanding and confusion
Critics have said that the proposal is regressive and that underage girls are neither legally nor mature enough to give consent to sex.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail hit back at critics, claiming they have blown the issue out of proportion over a "personal opinion".
Nancy further said in her statement that unfounded remarks made by various quarters about the nature of children, whom she stressed must be protected, risk causing misunderstandings and confusing society.
The laws and programmes focus on intervention, protection, and rehabilitation of children who are in conflict with the law, in line with the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry's position, she added.
She also said that adults - who are supposed to guide and protect children - will be severely punished if they end up exploiting them instead. - Mkini
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