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Malaysia opens first court for sex crimes against children

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia yesterday launched a Special Criminal Court that will handle cases involving sexual crimes against children, the first of its kind in the country and also in South-east Asia.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak speaking at the opening of the International Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 25, 2016. Mr Najib plans to set up special court in all states in stages. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak speaking at the opening of the International Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 25, 2016. Mr Najib plans to set up special court in all states in stages. Photo: Reuters

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia yesterday launched a Special Criminal Court that will handle cases involving sexual crimes against children, the first of its kind in the country and also in South-east Asia.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who officiated the launch, said special Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would have to be formulated to handle such cases.

The first case is set to be heard at the special court — located at the Palace of Justice building in Putrajaya — on July 4. It is among the 56 cases from Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor that have been transferred to the new court. “God willing, we will set up this court in all states in stages,” said Mr Najib.

The proposal of such a court was mooted by Mr Najib, who had raised it during a seminar on sexual crimes against children in March.

The court is part of a provision under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 — a new law passed by the Malaysian Parliament in April that deals with sexual crimes against children.

The new law came into effect 10 months after British paedophile Richard Huckle was found guilty of abusing up to 200 babies and children, mostly in Malaysia. Huckle was sentenced to life in prison.

The court will focus on cases involving child pornography, child grooming and child sexual assault. It aims to conclude the hearing of cases under one year, instead of dragging the cases on for years.

Additionally, it is equipped with infrastructure such as court recording transcription; a waiting room for child witnesses; live video link; child witness screens and disabled-friendly facilities.

Mr Najib suggested yesterday that special SOPs be drawn up on the best ways to handle sexual crimes involving children. He hoped the SOPs could be drafted as soon as possible. To achieve this, he said, a working committee would be formed.

“The SOPs should fulfil the needs and wants of child witnesses, in line with best practices that are implemented in other countries,” he said.

According to statistics from Malaysia’s Social Welfare Department, 5,779 cases of sexual abuse against children were recorded between 2010 and 2015.

Reuters reported last year that most complaints of child sexual abuse in Malaysia do not lead to successful prosecutions, largely due to weaknesses in the criminal justice system.

Only 140 of the 12,987 cases of child sexual abuse reported to police between 2012 and July 2016 resulted in convictions.

There have been several cases over the years of rapists marrying their victims, including those under 18, to avoid prosecution.

Under both civil law and Islamic law, girls and boys younger than 18 can be married. Civil law sets the minimum age of marriage at 18, but those above 16 can be married with the permission of their state’s chief minister.

Under Islamic law, children younger than 16 can get married if the Syariah courts allow it. AGENCIES

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