KUCHING: A special court to handle sexual crimes against children will hear its first case on July 4, said Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.
According to her, the special court conducting sexual criminal proceedings involving children as victims and the perpetrator was just inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on June 22.
“The first case will be tried in the special court on child sexual crimes on July 4.
“It starts in Putrajaya and will be adopted in other states, for sexual crimes against children,” she told in a press conference during ‘Majlis Bersama Raikan Aidilfitri, Indahnya Beraya’ organized by her ministry at Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in Petra Jaya here, yesterday.
Rohani added that the special court would only be involved if perpetrator and victim were children but, if the perpetrator was an adult then they would be charged in a regular court and still using the Child Act (Amendment) 2016.
Asked on the case of a boy from Felda Tenang, Hulu Besut, Terengganu who has died and believed to have been abused by his stepfather, she pointed out that it is still under police investigation and her ministry will be guided by the results of the investigation.
“If it involves a child, then the Child Act will be used and we will not hesitate to take action even against parents.
“If there is torture and so on, we will take decisive action and in this case, we always cooperate with the police,” she stressed.
Rohani who is also Member of Parliament for Batang Lupar added that the case was still under investigation and officials from her ministry would follow up with the case to ensure that the child has the best possible protection.
At the same time, she did not deny it was possible a member of the child’s family had abetted in the case then action would be taken and they would be charged.
She said under the Child Act (Amendment) 2016, heavy penalties will be imposed on offenders, where the offender is liable to a jail term of 20 years, a maximum fine of RM50,000 or both apart from Civil Service Order (CSO).
Earlier on, a total of 200 beneficiaries including senior citizens, orphans, disabled, single mothers and others have attended the ‘Majlis Bersama Raikan Aidilfitri, Indahnya Beraya’.
Also present in the event were Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and his wife Datin Amar Datuk Hajah Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang as well as other cabinet ministers.
