Sarawak association calls for greater action on rising child sex abuse cases
MIRI (July 18): The Sarawak Family Planning Association (SFPA) has expressed deep concern over the alarming hike in child sexual abuse cases, stressing that far more must be done to address what it calls a serious national problem.
SFPA member Prof Dr Kamal Kenny, a consultant and social psychologist, said the biggest challenge in protecting babies and children from sexual violence is the reluctance of Malaysian society to speak openly about such abuse.
'Cases of incest, child sexual abuse, and exploitation are undoubtedly on the rise—a concern also shared by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),' he told The Borneo Post when contacted.
Dr Kamal highlighted that last year, PDRM raised concerns about a stark increase in incest cases in one of the states in Peninsular Malaysia.
However, he warned that the official reported cases might not reflect the true extent of the problem at the grassroots level.
'This is because the matter is very sensitive, and many people choose to sweep it under the carpet,' he added.
His comments came in response to two recent headline-making cases reported on July 16.
In one, a man was accused of impregnating his 12-year-old daughter, while in the other case, a three-month-old baby was reported sexually abused and a video of the act was circulated online.
Dr Kamal said while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like SFPA have strived to create awareness by reaching out to different communities, these efforts have often been met with limited support from various parties due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
'While there are laws and penalties in Malaysia, the issue itself is often regarded as a taboo subject and many choose to not 'shake the hornet's nest' due to social and cultural values.'
Regarding support for victims, Dr Kamal emphasised the need for ongoing trauma counselling, adding that involving the family in therapy is crucial to help them build long-term coping mechanisms.
'SFPA has always believed that a concerted effort by various agencies is essential in helping victims navigate the trauma they experience, and that a proper support system must be firmly in place,' he said.
He highlighted that awareness programmes are vital in breaking the silence and stigma surrounding sexual violence.
These initiatives, he noted, should be carried out across all segments of society—urban and rural alike—as the psychological impact on victims remains equally severe, regardless of geographical location.
Dr Kamal also stated that SFPA remains committed to engaging with the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Ministry of Education, and parent-teacher associations to encourage the rollout of awareness programmes aimed at reaching as many people as possible.
At the national level, he stressed that child sexual abuse must be addressed in Parliament.
He urged for the immediate implementation of institutionalised programmes in schools to raise awareness among children, helping them understand that such acts are criminal, and must be firmly resisted and reported. child abuse Dr Kamal Kenny Sarawak Family Planning Association
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Man jailed for stealing debit cards, cash aboard Scoot flight to Singapore
Liu Xitang was sentenced to 10 months' jail after pleading guilty to one charge of theft. - Photo: Asiaone SINGAPORE: In yet another case of in-flight theft, a man has been jailed for stealing a passenger's debit cards and cash onboard a Scoot flight to Singapore. Both the prosecution and judge noted the increasing prevalence of such offences as Liu Xitang's case was heard in court on Wednesday (July 30). The Chinese national, 35, was sentenced to 10 months' jail after pleading guilty to one charge of theft. Handing down the sentence, District Judge Eddy Tham said: 'A strong message needs to be sent out to deter any like-minded persons from carrying out such offences.' The court heard that Liu committed the crime on June 2 while onboard Scoot flight TR469 from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. His co-accused was fellow Chinese national Wang Wei, 41, who has also been charged. Wang's case is still before the courts. Chinese national Wang Wei (left) has been charged after he was arrested at Changi Airport. - Photo: Asiaone Wang was aware that Liu would commit theft on flights. In particular, Liu would get the details of other passengers' credits cards and use the stolen information to make transactions. In their conversations, they used the codeword 'biscuit' to refer to credit cards. The duo entered Malaysia from China on May 31. They planned to leave Malaysia on June 2 via the flight to Singapore, then transit to Hong Kong and part ways. After boarding the plane, the victim, a 39-year-old Malaysian, placed her bag containing her valuables in the overhead compartment above her seat. Before take-off, Liu reached into that overhead compartment and stole two debit cards and $169 in cash from the victim's bag. He then placed the items into a drawstring bag, which he got as a ScootPlus passenger, and passed the bag to Wang. Liu also messaged an unknown person on WeChat that he had found a 'biscuit' and coordinated with this person about when to use the cards. Two other passengers witnessed Liu's actions. A flight stewardess also noticed Liu passing the drawstring bag to Wang before take-off and instructed him to return to his seat. When the flight landed, the two passengers saw the victim retrieve her bag from the overhead compartment and they realised it belonged to her and not Liu. They decided to find and inform the victim to check her belongings. After the woman checked inside her bag and saw that cards and cash were missing, she filed a police report. The police subsequently traced and arrested Liu and Wang at Changi Airport. Wang returned the cash, and the victim's debit cards were found in a dustbin near the immigration checkpoint. Liu admitted he had thrown them away. Deputy Public Prosecutor Gladys Lim said there was evidence to suggest the pair were working with a larger group of criminals, such as the unknown third party Liu spoke to on WeChat. In mitigation, Liu said through an interpreter that he knew what he did was 'a very bad thing'. 'I should not have done it, Your Honour, and I've realised my mistake,' said Liu, adding that he hoped to return home soon to settle his father's funeral matters. Liu's case comes amid a spike in cabin theft cases in Asia, which has been blamed on members of organised crime groups who catch short-transit flights to steal small items from passengers. Between January and May, three people were charged in Singapore for theft onboard an aircraft. Only one person was charged in the same period in 2024. Assistant Commissioner M. Malathi, commander of the Airport Police Division, told The Straits Times in June that passengers should always keep their valuables on them, remain vigilant and make timely reports for their officers to quickly trace the suspects. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
MPs demand school safety reforms after Zara Qairina's tragic death
KUALA LUMPUR: The death of 13-year-old boarding school student Zara Qairina Mahathir has sparked urgent calls for school safety reforms in Parliament. MPs debated the need for stricter anti-bullying policies and transparent investigations during discussions on the Education (Amendment) Bill 2025. Datuk Matbali Musah (GRS-Sipitang) described the incident as heartbreaking, stressing the need for immediate action. 'How many more of our children must lose hope after being bullied before action is taken? I plead not just as a member of parliament but as a father, as a citizen, that school bullying be addressed with proactive measures,' he said. He proposed establishing a dedicated anti-bullying unit in every District Education Office (PPD) to conduct regular school inspections and collaborate with parents, teachers, and law enforcement. Transparency in the investigation was another key concern. Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (BN-Libaran) emphasized, 'Only through a transparent investigation can we restore public confidence in our education system. The family of the deceased deserves the truth, justice for their loss, and reform of the education system.' Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) questioned whether negligence or criminal factors contributed to the tragedy. 'If the incident was indeed an accident, what were the contributing factors? (Was it) the environment, hostel safety, or the emotional and mental state of the victim?' he asked. Zara Qairina was found unconscious near her hostel on July 16 and later passed away at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital. The case has intensified scrutiny on student welfare and institutional accountability in Malaysian schools. - Bernama
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
Pasir Mas chosen for pilot project to fight drug abuse
PASIR MAS: The district of Pasir Mas has been selected as the pilot location for the 'Jihad Perangi Dadah' programme, a community-based initiative to combat drug abuse. The project will involve local leaders, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK). Kelantan PEMADAM chairman Zamakhshari Muhamad explained that village heads and community leaders often hesitate to report drug-related activities due to safety concerns. 'We will introduce a new reporting method for local leaders to safely share information on drug cases in their areas,' he said. The programme will first launch in Pasir Mas before expanding to other districts. Zamakhshari, who also chairs the Kelantan Youth, Sports, and NGOs Committee, emphasized PEMADAM's ongoing efforts to raise awareness alongside AADK. 'Our goal is to reduce drug cases and supply through integrated community campaigns,' he added. Recent reports highlight Kelantan as having the highest drug abuse rate in Malaysia, with 1,130 cases per 100,000 people. Perlis, Terengganu, and Kedah follow closely. - Bernama
