MPs ask where funds will come from under new child sexual offences bill

 Both government and opposition members agree on wider powers for authorities, but say questions remain on enforcement.

The proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act seek to widen the powers of authorities to act on child sexual offences committed overseas, including where the offender or victim has a Malaysian link. (Envato Elements pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

MPs on both sides of the divide have questioned how amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act can be enforced without extra funding, despite backing the bill in principle.

The proposed amendments seek to widen the powers of authorities to act on child sexual offences committed overseas, including where the offender or victim has a Malaysian link.

MPs from Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional argued that the amendments were needed as child sexual crimes were no longer confined to physical abuse or offences committed within the country.

However, they said the wider powers would mean nothing without trained investigators, cyber forensics, digital evidence storage, extradition deals, and cooperation with foreign police and tech platforms.

Idris Ahmad (PN-Bagan Serai) asked why the bill mentioned that it would not involve extra government expenditure, saying enforcement would require funding for training, technology, and international cooperation.

“Are we just going to run this on mere words alone? How are we going to properly use this wider scope if there is no funding?” he said.

Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) said the wider extra-territorial powers must be supported by proper enforcement ability and international cooperation.

The former deputy law minister asked how the government would deal with double jeopardy, such as cases where a suspect had already been investigated, acquitted or convicted overseas before he is extradited to Malaysia.

“If a person has been charged in another country, and whether he is found guilty or not guilty, can he still be prosecuted if he returns to Malaysia?” he asked.

Earlier, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said tabled the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its second reading.

Under the existing provisions, the law applies only to offences committed abroad by Malaysian citizens, but the amendment seeks to extend its scope to permanent residents and individuals who ordinarily reside in Malaysia.

Azalina said child protection should not stop just because an offence was committed overseas, or because the offender was outside Malaysia.

Citing Internet Watch Foundation data, she said there were 16,238 reports of child sexual abuse material involving Malaysian children in 2024, up more than 225% from the year before.

Another 12,656 reports were recorded in the first six months of 2025.

She said this showed that threats to children were growing online and across borders, including through closed platforms, encryption, false identities, and cross-border operations. - FMT