KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — In a determined move to shield children from the devastating impact of sexual crimes, the Malaysian government is rolling out tougher laws and innovative solutions aimed at ensuring justice while putting the emotional well-being of young victims first.
Deputy Director-General (Legal Reform Sector) of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under the Prime Minister’s Department, Thiyagu Ganesan, shared that these changes include updates to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 [Act 792], more specialised courts, and enhanced training for those handling such sensitive cases.
Laws with children’s safety at the core
Key amendments made in 2023 replaced outdated terms like “child pornography” with the more accurate “child sexual abuse material.” New offences now cover crimes like live-streaming of abuse and sextortion, while ensuring victims receive compensation as part of the justice process.
The recently passed Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) also makes digital platforms legally responsible for removing harmful child abuse content. It brings in the “safety-by-design” approach, aiming to make the online world less dangerous for children from the start.
Justice closer to home
Recognising how intimidating courtrooms can be for children, the government has increased the number of Special Courts for Sexual Crimes Against Children to 81 nationwide. More notably, mobile courts are now being introduced — specially designed vehicles equipped with child witness rooms that travel to where the child is. This means children no longer need to endure stressful journeys to courtrooms far from home.
Training the people who make justice happen
Thiyagu emphasised that prosecutors, judges, and lawyers are undergoing specialised training on how to question and support child witnesses. This aligns with the 2023 reforms, which focus on more compassionate court procedures for children.
Raising awareness and enforcing responsibility
BHEUU is also running awareness campaigns to educate the public about Section 19 of Act 792, which requires every individual to report suspected cases of child sexual crimes.
In addition, changes to the Suhakam Act 1999 in 2023 have created dedicated roles — including a full-time Chief Children Commissioner and two additional Children Commissioners — to strengthen oversight of child protection policies and speak out when improvements are needed.
“These roles are meant to ensure that children’s voices are heard, and their safety remains a non-negotiable priority,” Thiyagu said.
The message is clear: Malaysia is not only tightening its laws but also rethinking how justice is delivered — with compassion, accessibility, and the child’s dignity at the centre.
