KUALA LUMPUR: All MPs should support the amendments to criminalise online sextortion and live-streaming sex involving children, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) said the amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 is expected to be tabled for its second reading in Parliament on Wednesday (March 29).
“The second reading will be conducted in the lower house this Wednesday (March 29) and the upper house (Dewan Negara) on April 6,” said Azalina
“I would like to get support from all MPs because we have to give a stern message that this government is not going to tolerate certain conduct,” she added at a briefing session for MPs in Parliament on Monday (March 27).
Azalina said it was important to pass the amendments to beef up the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
“The people voted us here (to Parliament). Maybe the children didn't vote for us, but we have an obligation,” she said.
“I know the defence counsel will always say everyone has a right to defend themselves. Yes, but, we must trust our judges and judiciary,” added Azalina.
Azalina urged MPs to have faith in the legal system.
“Nobody is going to prosecute anybody for fun. The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) established worldwide that children never lie. If children have certain allegations to make, there must be a lot of truth in it,” said Azalina.
Azalina also said the present law does not protect victims if the perpetrators were friends or classmates they know.
“We have to send a strong message that whoever you are, the government and the law is going to be strict and punish you. Even if you are a grade A student and if you have intentions to sell and cyber-bully, this is something that we have to come at hard,” said Azalina.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Azalina said that the next amendments that will be introduced in the next Parliament sitting will be in regards to the Child Witness Act 2007 (Act 676).
Azalina also urged MPs to support the proposed amendments to Act 676, which will be tabled after engagement sessions with the Bar Council.
“We hope amendments on Act 792 and Act 676 will garner the support of all MPs, senators, the public, as well as the authorities so that amendments can be implemented perfectly and effectively to curb sexual offences against children in Malaysia,” she added.
The amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Bill 2023 are among the four Bills tabled for first reading in Parliament on Monday (March 27).
Under the amendments, those convicted of live-streaming sex involving children can face a jail term of not exceeding 20 years and RM50,000 fine while those convicted of sextortion can be jailed up to 10 years.
The proposed law will replace the term “child pornography” with “child abuse sexual material” in the parent Act.
The court is also empowered to make convicted perpetrators pay compensation to their victims.
Debates on Budget 2023 will continue at the committee stage in Parliament until it’s voted by MPs on Tuesday (March 28) afternoon.
From Wednesday (March 29) onwards, debates involving government Bills, private members’ Bills, and other matters, will take place in Parliament until April 4.
