KUALA LUMPUR – The government is currently exploring ways to enhance the existing legal framework concerning the online sexual exploitation of children.
In a statement today, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said offences related to online child sexual abuse materials encompass six categories, each carrying jail terms ranging from five to 30 years, including whipping as a penalty under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Apart from that, according to Act 792, online sexual offences against children include child grooming, engaging in sexual communication with children, and causing children to watch or listen to sexual materials.
“Last year, two new amendments were approved to fight online sexual abuse of children, specifically Section 15A of Act 792 addressing sexual performances by children and Section 15B of the same act pertaining to sexual extortion involving children.
“In light of the cross-boundary nature of online sexual abuse against children, Section 3 of Act 792 explicitly stipulates that any Malaysians who commit a child sexual abuse offence outside the country can be deemed to have committed it within the country.
“This will enable legal action to be taken against Malaysians who commit child sexual offences overseas,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).
Azalina also said the government is also studying the expansion of protective measures to encompass instances where violations against Malaysian children are perpetrated by individuals abroad.
“This progress in the law seeks to enhance the safeguarding of Malaysian children, irrespective of the geographical location of the offender,” she added.
She said the protection of children from online sexual exploitation is a shared responsibility, and Malaysia remains committed to collaborating with the global community to effectively address this issue. – January 8, 2024