Latest news with #AzalinaOthmanSaid
The Star
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Govt reviewing child abuse laws with focus on parents' role in prevention
PUTRAJAYA: The government is reviewing several legal provisions to introduce clearer, stronger obligations for parents and guardians in preventing abuse and sexual assault on children. According to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic) , this includes making it mandatory for parents and guardians to monitor children's online activities, and actively take part in digital safety awareness and education programmes. "This approach reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,' she said in a statement on Monday (June 2). Azalina said this in her keynote address "Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia's Legislative Approach to Online Child Protection" on the first day of the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025 in Uzbekistan, where she is currently on an official visit. She also highlighted Malaysia's legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening online child protection laws and called on the international legal community to embrace a shared moral duty in addressing crimes against children. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice without exception, underlining that protecting children in the digital space requires global cooperation and collective will. During the visit, Azalina also had the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Uzbek Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov, on Friday (May 30), with both parties agreeing to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). "This MoU will be in effect for three years and covers important aspects such as the exchange of legal expertise, cooperation in the reform of justice institutions and strengthening the capacity of the judicial systems of both countries. "This move is significant in supporting efforts towards a more responsive and dynamic legal system,' she said. Azalina also had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim Ali Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi. She said the meeting opened a new chapter in strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Qatar in various aspects of legal reforms, including global best practices in the protection of human rights and the administration of justice. "I believe (such) bilateral relations ... not only strengthen diplomatic relations, but also broaden the horizon of the country's institutional reform to the international level,' she said. In addition, Azalina also received a courtesy visit from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Directorate of Public Governance head of division and senior counsellor Dr Tatyana Teplova. She said the meeting marked the beginning of strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the OECD, particularly in strengthening the justice system, upholding the rule of law and improving the country's digital governance. "I also expressed my desire for Malaysia to obtain the support of OECD expertise in implementing legal harmonisation with international standards, without disregarding local realities and the Madani government's aspirations for sustainable institutional reform," she said. – Bernama
The Sun
43 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Government reviewing laws, focus on role of parents to prevent child abuse
PUTRAJAYA: The government is reviewing several existing legal provisions to introduce clearer and stronger obligations for parents and guardians in efforts to prevent abuse and sexual assault on children. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the move would include proposing amendments to make it mandatory for parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activities, as well as to participate in digital safety awareness and education programmes actively. 'This approach reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,' she said in a statement issued today. Azalina said this in her keynote address, titled ' Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia's Legislative Approach to Online Child' on the first day of the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025 in Uzbekistan, where she is currently on an official visit. In her address, Azalina also highlighted Malaysia's legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening online child protection laws and called on the international legal community to embrace a shared moral duty in addressing crimes against children. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that perpetrators of such offences are brought to justice without exception, underlining that protecting children in the digital space requires global cooperation and collective will. During the visit, Azalina also had the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Uzbek Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov, on May 30, with the meeting yielding meaningful results when both parties agreed to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). 'This MoU will be in effect for three years and covers important aspects such as the exchange of legal expertise, cooperation in the reform of justice institutions and strengthening the capacity of the judicial systems of both countries. 'This move is very significant in supporting efforts towards a more responsive and dynamic legal system,' she said. Azalina also had a bilateral meeting with the Qatari Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim Ali Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi. She said the meeting opened a new chapter in strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Qatar in various aspects of legal reforms, including global best practices in the protection of human rights and the administration of justice. 'I believe that bilateral relations such as this not only strengthen diplomatic relations, but also broaden the horizon of the country's institutional reform to the international level,' she said. In addition, Azalina also received a courtesy visit from the Head of Division and Senior Counsellor, Directorate of Public Governance, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Dr Tatyana Teplova. She said the meeting marked the beginning of strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the OECD, particularly in the aspects of strengthening the justice system, upholding the rule of law and improving the country's digital governance. 'I also expressed my desire for Malaysia to obtain the support of OECD expertise in implementing legal harmonisation with international standards, without disregarding local realities and the MADANI government's aspirations for sustainable institutional reform,' she said.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Govt reviews laws, eyes parental role in curbing child abuse
PUTRAJAYA: The government is reviewing several existing legal provisions to introduce clearer and stronger obligations for parents and guardians in efforts to prevent abuse and sexual assault on children. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the move would include proposing amendments to make it mandatory for parents and guardians to monitor their children's online activities, as well as to participate in digital safety awareness and education programmes actively. 'This approach reflects the principle of shared responsibility in safeguarding future generations from the growing threat of sexual crimes in the digital age,' she said in a statement issued today. Azalina said this in her keynote address, titled ' Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia's Legislative Approach to Online Child' on the first day of the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025 in Uzbekistan, where she is currently on an official visit. In her address, Azalina also highlighted Malaysia's legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening online child protection laws and called on the international legal community to embrace a shared moral duty in addressing crimes against children. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that perpetrators of such offences are brought to justice without exception, underlining that protecting children in the digital space requires global cooperation and collective will. During the visit, Azalina also had the opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Uzbek Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov, on May 30, with the meeting yielding meaningful results when both parties agreed to sign a new memorandum of understanding (MoU). 'This MoU will be in effect for three years and covers important aspects such as the exchange of legal expertise, cooperation in the reform of justice institutions and strengthening the capacity of the judicial systems of both countries. 'This move is very significant in supporting efforts towards a more responsive and dynamic legal system,' she said. Azalina also had a bilateral meeting with the Qatari Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim Ali Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi. She said the meeting opened a new chapter in strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Qatar in various aspects of legal reforms, including global best practices in the protection of human rights and the administration of justice. 'I believe that bilateral relations such as this not only strengthen diplomatic relations, but also broaden the horizon of the country's institutional reform to the international level,' she said. In addition, Azalina also received a courtesy visit from the Head of Division and Senior Counsellor, Directorate of Public Governance, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Dr Tatyana Teplova. She said the meeting marked the beginning of strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the OECD, particularly in the aspects of strengthening the justice system, upholding the rule of law and improving the country's digital governance. 'I also expressed my desire for Malaysia to obtain the support of OECD expertise in implementing legal harmonisation with international standards, without disregarding local realities and the MADANI government's aspirations for sustainable institutional reform,' she said.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Azalina: Parents may soon be legally required to monitor children's online activities
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is currently reviewing several existing legal provisions to introduce clearer responsibility for parents and guardians in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the proposed amendments include making it compulsory for parents to monitor their children's online activities and to participate in digital safety education programmes. She said this is in line with the shared responsibility of protecting future generations from sexual crimes in the digital age. "In the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal system, I represented Malaysia at the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum in Uzbekistan. "This prestigious forum is an important platform for Malaysia to demonstrate its commitment in addressing global legal challenges, particularly those related to the protection of children in the digital age on the international stage," she said in a statement today. While delivering the keynote address, Azalina said, she had outlined various initiatives and legal reforms that have been and are being implemented by the government to ensure the safety of children is always protected in an increasingly challenging cyberspace. She said while advancements like Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer many benefits, they also give rise to new forms of exploitation of children, particularly online. "So, I called on the international legal community to shoulder a shared moral responsibility to ensure that those involved in crimes against children are brought to justice without exception. "The digital future must not only be smarter but also safer, more humane and fair to all levels of society, especially children," she said. During the visit, Azalina also held bilateral talks with Qatar's Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Ibrahim bin Ali bin Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi, to strengthen legal cooperation between the two nations, with a focus on human rights protection and justice reform. In addition, she met with Uzbekistan's Justice Minister Akbar Tashkulov to sign a three-year memorandum of understanding. The MoU will include collaboration on the exchange of legal expertise, justice reform initiatives, and strengthening the judicial capacity of both countries.
Free Malaysia Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno's legal bureau to look into implications of Tengku Zafrul's exit
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said Cabinet appointments are based on the party represented instead of one's individual capacity. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno's legal bureau has been asked to look into the implications of Tengku Zafrul Aziz's exit from the party to apply for membership in PKR in terms of the party hopping law and on his status as senator. Umno information chief Azalina Othman Said said while the party respects a person's right to make political choices, Cabinet appointments are based on the party represented instead of one's individual capacity. Azalina, who is also law and institutional reform minister, said while the prime minister chairs the national unity council, Cabinet ministers are appointed as the party's representatives. 'An individual's political stance may change, but the party's commitment to religion, race and country must remain steadfast,' she said in a statement today. Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said there had been no official discussions on Tengku Zafrul's application to join PKR. He said Tengku Zafrul's position as investment, trade and industry minister would not be affected. 'We have not discussed anything yet. Let him fulfil his haj first. We don't need unhealthy speculation,' he said. On Friday, Tengku Zafrul said he had submitted his resignation as an Umno member, as well as from all party posts. His decision confirmed rumours in February that he would leave Umno to join PKR before his term as a senator expires at the year's end. Tengku Zafrul was previously an Umno Supreme Council member and also headed the Kota Raja Umno division. He had contested the Kuala Selangor seat during the 2022 general election but lost to Amanah's Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes in a four-cornered contest.
