Beliawanis MCA: “Protecting children requires more than legislation alone”

 

BELIAWANIS MCA has welcomed the proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), describing them as an important step towards strengthening Malaysia’s ability to prosecute child sexual offences committed both within and outside the country.

The amendments, which were tabled for second reading in the Dewan Rakyat, seek to expand the Act’s extraterritorial application by allowing authorities to pursue cases involving Malaysian citizens, permanent residents and children who ordinarily reside in Malaysia, regardless of where the offence was committed.

Beliawanis MCA national chairperson Ivone Low Yi Wen said the proposed changes would help prevent child sexual predators from evading justice by exploiting international borders.

“Extending protection to Malaysian citizens, permanent residents and children who ordinarily reside in Malaysia, regardless of where the offence takes place, is an important step towards ensuring that child sexual predators cannot evade justice simply by crossing international boundaries,” she said.

However, Low stressed that stronger legislation alone would not be sufficient without effective enforcement, adequate resources and comprehensive support systems.

“As the Bill is tabled for its second reading, Beliawanis MCA reiterates Wanita MCA’s longstanding position that while stronger legislation is necessary, meaningful child protection ultimately depends on effective enforcement, institutional capacity and comprehensive support systems that ensure no child falls through the cracks,” she continued.

Low noted that cross-border prosecution remains one of the key challenges in combating child sexual exploitation.

Differences in legal systems and the principle of dual criminality could create obstacles when offences committed overseas are not recognised under local laws.

She said the government must strengthen legal frameworks and international cooperation mechanisms to prevent perpetrators from exploiting jurisdictional loopholes.

At the same time, Low highlighted the growing threat posed by technology-facilitated child sexual abuse, including online grooming, livestreamed abuse, dark web activities and AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

“Malaysia must invest in specialised cybercrime capabilities, improve intelligence-sharing arrangements and establish more effective cross-border investigation protocols to respond to these evolving threats,” she emphasised.

Low pointed to the case of convicted British paedophile Richard Huckle as an example of successful international law enforcement cooperation.

Huckle was arrested in the United Kingdom following information-sharing between Australian authorities and Britain’s National Crime Agency.

She added that stronger legislation must also be matched by sufficient funding, specialist expertise and effective coordination among enforcement agencies.

“The Government should ensure that the necessary funding, expertise and inter-agency cooperation are in place to implement these amendments effectively,” she noted.

Low further urged policymakers not to overlook vulnerable groups within Malaysia, including stateless, undocumented and refugee children, who may remain outside existing protection mechanisms.

“Expanding protection beyond our borders while leaving gaps at home would be an incomplete approach to child protection,” she said.

She emphasised that protecting children requires a broader ecosystem beyond legislation, including accessible reporting channels, survivor support services, public awareness programmes and age-appropriate education that equips children to recognise and report abuse.

“These are not supplementary measures, but essential safeguards that give real meaning to the law,” she said.

Beliawanis MCA expressed support for the passage of the amendments and urged the government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, institutional capacity and victim support systems alongside the proposed legal reforms.

“Passing the law is an important beginning, but its true success will be measured by whether it delivers meaningful protection to every child in Malaysia,” Low said. ‒  Focus Malaysia