Latest news with #DomesticViolenceAct1994
The Star
18-07-2025
- The Star
Tackling domestic violence
PETALING JAYA: In tackling the rise in domestic violence, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has come up with a platform to discuss such issues to better protect victims. These matters will be discussed in the Committee to Address Domestic Violence, which itself comprises three working committees, namely the Domestic Violence Protection Committee, the Advocacy and Capacity Development Committee and the Data Committee. The police are a permanent member of all the committees, it said in a statement. On what victims can do to protect themselves, the ministry advised that if the police open an investigation paper, the victim can make an application to obtain an Interim Protection Order (IPO) in court under the Domestic Violence Act 1994 (Act 521). 'If the perpetrator is charged in court, the victim can then make an application to obtain a Protection Order (PO),' the ministry said. It added that the victim can also apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) from an authorised social welfare officer. An EPO is an order that is only valid for seven days and does not require a police report. The victim, however, must make a police report if there is a breach of the order. Apart from the wife or husband, domestic violence victims can include the ex-wife or ex-husband, children, incapacitated adults and other family members. The provisions of Section 326A of the Penal Code (Act 574) indicate that proof of a 'family' relationship is essential for the imposition of a heavier sentence. Sections 323, 324, 325, 326, 334 or 335 of the Penal Code also deal with the offences and punishment that may twice extend the maximum term. The ministry said if violence occurs outside of a marriage, such as cohabitation, romantic relationships and others, it does not come under Act 521. However, agencies under the ministry can assist victims, such as providing counselling and other appropriate services. The perpetrator can still be prosecuted according to the provisions of Act 574. On Wednesday, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said a total of 2,467 cases of domestic violence were recorded nationwide from January to April this year. She said studies showed that housewives were the largest group of domestic violence victims. Those seeking help, or know anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, can contact the police or call Talian Kasih at 15999 or via WhatsApp at 019-251 5999.
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Man arrested for alleged assault on wife in Tawau
The suspect detained by the police. TAWAU (June 28): Police arrested a man for allegedly beating and threatening his wife with sharp weapons at a residence here on Saturday. Tawau District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin said police had a received a report on the incident from the victim. Jasmin said the incident was believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding between the couple. 'The victim, who was worried about her safety, lodged a police report. 'She was also apparently threatened with an axe and a knife and received verbal threats from the suspect,' he said in a statement. Acting on the report, a team of police officers tracked the suspect down near Kampung Haji Matahir. He said the 44-year-old tried to escape when he noticed the police but was arrested after a brief struggle. 'The police also seized an axe and a knife suspected to have been used in the incident. 'The suspect and the seized items were taken to the Bombalai police station for further investigation,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code and Section 18A of the Domestic Violence Act 1994. Jasmin advised the public not to use violence to resolve domestic issues or conflicts. 'They need to resolve the problem peacefully or refer to the relevant department to obtain appropriate advice and assistance,' he said.
Borneo Post
23-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Activist calls for further expansion of child protection services into rural areas
Voon Shiak Ni KUCHING (June 24): The state government should go all out in enhancing the child protection mechanism to better protect the vulnerable and rural communities. In highlighting this, social activist Voon Shiak Ni said it was shocking that a total of 572 child abuse cases had been reported in Sarawak throughout the first half of this year. 'I believe this could just be the tip of the iceberg. 'Usually, many incidents go unreported because the victims are children, and many do not have the ability and access to make the reports for themselves, unless someone helps them. 'Under-reporting remains a major issue, especially in abuse cases when the crimes are committed in a family setting,' she said in a statement yesterday. In this regard, Voon highlighted the importance of the authorities to engage public participation in the battle against child abuse and neglect. She also emphasised the urgent need to strengthen community awareness and advocacy for child protection. Adding on, she called upon the relevant ministry to provide a breakdown on the 572 cases reported this year to date. 'The nature of abuse committed on children, whether related to physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse or online-related abuse, should be made known publicly. 'This is helpful information to the public, for them to lend their eyes and ears and watch out for any possibilities of the said abuse happening in their neighbourhoods.' According to Voon, who is a lawyer, the country's legal framework provides comprehensive protection to children through the Child Act 2001, the Penal Code, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and Domestic Violence Act 1994. 'These laws criminalise abuse, neglect and exploitation, while mandating reporting and enabling court-ordered protection for at-risk children,' she said. 'We also cannot deny that enforcement gaps, under-reporting and lack of access and support from authorities continue to hinder the effectiveness of these laws, particularly in remote areas of Sarawak.' Thus, she reiterated her call on the state government to take the lead in expanding access to child protection services especially into the rural and indigenous areas, to encourage reporting of the crimes. She believed that such move would also enable more accurate assessment of the seriousness of the crimes happening on the ground, and identify effective systems to address and curb the crimes. On Sunday, federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said a total of 572 child abuse and neglect cases were registered in Sarawak from January to June this year. These statistics, released by the Sarawak Welfare Department, underscored the urgent need to strengthen community awareness and advocacy for child protection, she added. child protection lead rural communities Voon Shiak Ni
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Tawau man arrested for beating up wife
KOTA KINABALU: Police have arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly beat up his wife after she questioned him for going out to a night entertainment outlet. The 37-year-old woman, who suffered head and body injuries, lodged a police report following the incident that occurred at a hotel in Tawau at about 4.40am on Sunday (May 25). Tawau district police chief Asst Comm Jasmin Hussin said initial investigations found that the incident broke out when the victim reprimanded her husband for going out to a night entertainment outlet. He said police arrested the suspect at the Tawau Airport compound at 10.15am the same day," he said in a statement Monday. The suspect is being charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing injury, as well as Section 18(A) of the Domestic Violence Act 1994. ACP Jasmin also disclosed that the suspect had a previous record under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation. In separate unrelated case, police arrested a 25-year-old foreigner for allegedly raping his colleague in Lok Bangak, Bagahak in Lahad Datu district on Saturday (May 24). Lahad Datu deputy district police chief Supt Jimmy Panyau said the victim, a local, claimed that she was allegedly raped by the suspect in the bushes at the farm house. Police arrested the suspect at about 10pm on Sunday (May 25) and is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- The Sun
Woman held over alleged assault on daughter at laundromat
CHUKAI: Police have arrested a woman suspected of scolding and assaulting her young daughter at a laundromat here last Wednesday. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said the 45-year-old woman was arrested at her home at 7.27 pm yesterday. He said the arrest was made after a closed-circuit television (CCTV) recording went viral on social media showing a girl being scolded and assaulted by a woman believed to be her mother at a laundromat. 'The suspect was arrested and remanded until April 22 (today) under Section 323/18A of the Domestic Violence Act 1994. 'Investigations revealed that the woman acted in such a manner - scolding and hitting the child - out of concern for her daughter's safety, as the child had been running in front of the shop and was at risk of being hit by a vehicle,' he said in a statement late last night. Mohd Razi said an initial medical report found that the victim sustained minor injuries to the middle of her forehead, and she is currently under the care of her father. 'Police are urging any witnesses to the incident to come forward to provide statements or contact the Kemaman district police headquarters (IPD) operations room at 09-859 2222 to assist with the investigation,' he said.
