Nancy Shukri states KPWKM is examining sexual misconduct and child grooming provisions in proposed amendments to the Child Act 2001.
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is studying the need to elaborate on provisions regarding sexual misconduct involving children specifically issues of predation and peer-to-peer grooming within the proposed amendments to the Child Act 2001.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, said that attention is being paid to recent developments regarding the conduct of minors, including a recent case involving the arrest of a teenager as young as 13 for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) during ‘Op Pedo 3.0’.
However, she emphasised that any legal provisions to be introduced must be thoroughly refined to avoid unintended legal repercussions for the individuals involved.
“Children are defined as those aged 18 and under, yet there are actions committed that go beyond typical child behaviour.
“Nevertheless, we need to study this carefully because we do not want to subject them to double jeopardy (being prosecuted twice for the same offence),” she told reporters after officiating the National Reproductive Health Symposium 2026 here today.
Commenting on the timeline for tabling the amendment bill, Nancy noted that the drafting process takes time because the government consistently considers current issues and input from various stakeholders to ensure the Act is truly comprehensive.
“If certain aspects are not covered by existing laws, we will incorporate that input into the legislation,” she said, adding that KPWKM works closely with relevant agencies including the Ministry of Home Affairs in drafting the amendment.
Earlier, the Royal Malaysia Police revealed the involvement of children as young as 13 in the production of sexually explicit animated content, following the detention of eight youths aged between 13 and 18 during a joint operation with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission from September 14 to 16.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said investigations revealed some suspects not only downloaded Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) but also produced their own animated content for online distribution or sale.
On July 21, Nancy said amendments to the Child Act 2001 were being reviewed based on 159 recommendations submitted by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
She noted that the recommendations, received through the concluding observations addressed various aspects, including improvements to the legal framework, protection against abuse, and a more comprehensive implementation of children’s rights.
