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Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
Child Act Protects All Children, Not Just Victims
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Child Act 2001 not only protects victims, but covers all children, whether they are victims, witnesses or the accused. According to the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister's Department, proceedings in the Children's Court are also conducted behind closed doors to protect the rights and dignity of children under the age of 18, as well as to safeguard confidentiality. It also serves to ensure the welfare of the children, as provided under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), and their identities must not be disclosed to the public. 'Does the Child Act only protect victims? No. This Act protects all children, whether victims, witnesses, or the accused,' said the BHEUU in response to several frequently asked questions related to the Penal Code (Act 574) and the Child Act 2001 (Act 611). In addition, when a court sits as a Children's Court, it is presided over by a Magistrate who is assisted and advised by two panel advisers, one of whom must be a woman. According to BHEUU, the Child Act 2001 standardises the laws concerning individuals under the age of 18 in Malaysia, with the primary aim of providing rehabilitation and care for children in conflict with the law, safeguarding confidentiality and dignity, and prohibiting the media from disclosing their identities, in line with the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC). Explaining the difference between the Child Act 2001 and the Penal Code, BHEUU said the Penal Code is a law that prescribes criminal offences and punishments (punitive in nature). 'The Child Act 2001 is a procedural law which, among other things, provides a framework for handling cases where a child offender is charged with a criminal offence,' said the division. The Child Act also does not impose criminal punishments. However, such punishments are set under the Penal Code or any other punitive law.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Child Act protects all children, not just victims, says PM Dept's Legal Affairs Division
KUALA LUMPUR: The Child Act 2001 not only protects victims but also covers all children, whether they are victims, witnesses or accused. According to the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department, proceedings in the Children's Court are also conducted behind closed doors to protect the rights and dignity of children under the age of 18, as well as to safeguard confidentiality. It also serves to ensure the welfare of the children, as provided under the Child Act 2001 and their identities must not be disclosed to the public. "Does the Child Act only protect victims? No. This Act protects all children, whether victims, witnesses, or the accused," said the division in response to several frequently asked questions related to the Penal Code and the Child Act 2001. In addition, when a court sits as a Children's Court, it is presided over by a Magistrate who is assisted and advised by two panel advisers, one of whom must be a woman. It also said the Child Act 2001 standardises the laws concerning individuals under the age of 18 in Malaysia, with the primary aim of providing rehabilitation and care for children in conflict with the law, safeguarding confidentiality and dignity and prohibiting the media from disclosing their identities, in line with the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC). Explaining the difference between the Child Act 2001 and the Penal Code, the division said the Penal Code is a law that prescribes criminal offences and punishments (punitive in nature). "The Child Act 2001 is a procedural law which, among other things, provides a framework for handling cases where a child offender is charged with a criminal offence," said the division. The Child Act also does not impose criminal punishments. However, such punishments are set under the Penal Code or any other punitive law. "The Child Act also does not prevent bullies from being punished, as any juvenile offenders may still be charged under the Penal Code," it said. In response to the question of what basic laws apply to children who commit crimes, the division said every individual is responsible for their criminal acts, including those under 18 years of age. "The Penal Code and other punitive laws in Malaysia do not exempt any individual from criminal liability. Criminal cases and liability remain the same, even when they involve a child offender," it said. The division also reminded the public that spreading false information that could disrupt public order, harm someone's reputation or safety, or threaten national security is a criminal offence. "This offence can be dealt with under the Penal Code, particularly Section 124I, which states that anyone who, through speech, writing, print media or any other means, including electronic, spreads false reports or makes false statements likely to cause public alarm, may be punished with imprisonment of up to five years," it said. – Bernama COMP Children's Court, In Camera, Protection, Child Act, Penal Code, Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister's Department
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Child Act 2001 protects all children in Malaysia, says BHEUU
KUALA LUMPUR: The Child Act 2001 provides protection not only for victims but covers all children in Malaysia, whether they are victims, witnesses, or the accused. This clarification comes from the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department, known as BHEUU. Proceedings in the Children's Court are conducted behind closed doors to protect the rights and dignity of children under eighteen. This approach also safeguards confidentiality and ensures the welfare of children as mandated by the Child Act 2001. The identities of these children must never be disclosed to the public. BHEUU stated, 'Does the Child Act only protect victims? No. This Act protects all children, whether victims, witnesses, or the accused.' This response was part of a series addressing frequently asked questions about the Penal Code and the Child Act. When a court functions as a Children's Court, it is presided over by a Magistrate. The Magistrate is assisted and advised by two panel advisers, one of whom must be a woman. The Child Act 2001 standardises laws concerning individuals under eighteen years old in Malaysia. Its primary aim is to provide rehabilitation and care for children in conflict with the law. It emphasises safeguarding confidentiality and dignity while prohibiting media from disclosing identities. This framework aligns with the principles of the United Nations Child Rights Convention. BHEUU explained the fundamental difference between the Child Act 2001 and the Penal Code. The Penal Code is a law that prescribes criminal offences and punishments, making it punitive in nature. 'The Child Act 2001 is a procedural law which, among other things, provides a framework for handling cases where a child offender is charged with a criminal offence,' said the division. Importantly, the Child Act itself does not impose criminal punishments. Such punishments are instead set under the Penal Code or other punitive laws. 'The Child Act also does not prevent bullies from being punished, as any juvenile offenders may still be charged under the Penal Code,' BHEUU clarified. On the question of basic laws applying to children who commit crimes, BHEUU was unequivocal. Every individual is responsible for their criminal acts, including those under eighteen. 'The Penal Code and other punitive laws in Malaysia do not exempt any individual from criminal liability.' 'Criminal cases and liability remain the same, even when they involve a child offender,' BHEUU stated. The division also issued a reminder to the public regarding the spread of false information. Spreading false information that disrupts public order or harms reputation is a criminal offence. 'This offence can be dealt with under the Penal Code, particularly Section 124I.' It states that anyone spreading false reports likely to cause public alarm may face imprisonment of up to five years. - Bernama
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Why children's cases are heard behind closed doors in Malaysian courts
The Child Act 2001 not only protects victims, but covers all children, whether they are victims, witnesses or the accused. 20 Aug 2025 04:26pm When a court sits as a Children's Court, it is presided over by a Magistrate who is assisted and advised by two panel advisers, one of whom must be a woman. Photo by Bernama KUALA LUMPUR - The Child Act 2001 not only protects victims, but covers all children, whether they are victims, witnesses or the accused. According to the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister's Department, proceedings in the Children's Court are also conducted behind closed doors to protect the rights and dignity of children under the age of 18, as well as to safeguard confidentiality. It also serves to ensure the welfare of the children, as provided under the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), and their identities must not be disclosed to the public. "Does the Child Act only protect victims? No. This Act protects all children, whether victims, witnesses, or the accused,' said the BHEUU in response to several frequently asked questions related to the Penal Code (Act 574) and the Child Act 2001 (Act 611). In addition, when a court sits as a Children's Court, it is presided over by a Magistrate who is assisted and advised by two panel advisers, one of whom must be a woman. According to BHEUU, the Child Act 2001 standardises the laws concerning individuals under the age of 18 in Malaysia, with the primary aim of providing rehabilitation and care for children in conflict with the law, safeguarding confidentiality and dignity, and prohibiting the media from disclosing their identities, in line with the United Nations Child Rights Convention (UNCRC). Explaining the difference between the Child Act 2001 and the Penal Code, BHEUU said the Penal Code is a law that prescribes criminal offences and punishments (punitive in nature). "The Child Act 2001 is a procedural law which, among other things, provides a framework for handling cases where a child offender is charged with a criminal offence,' said the division. The Child Act also does not impose criminal punishments. However, such punishments are set under the Penal Code or any other punitive law. **media[3244338]** "The Child Act also does not prevent bullies from being punished, as any juvenile offenders may still be charged under the Penal Code,' BHEUU said. In response to the question of what basic laws apply to children who commit crimes, BHEUU said every individual is responsible for their criminal acts, including those under 18 years of age. "The Penal Code and other punitive laws in Malaysia do not exempt any individual from criminal liability. Criminal cases and liability remain the same, even when they involve a child offender,' said BHEUU. The division also reminded the public that spreading false information which could disrupt public order, harm someone's reputation or safety, or threaten national security is a criminal offence. "This offence can be dealt with under the Penal Code, particularly Section 124I, which states that anyone who, through speech, writing, print media or any other means, including electronic, spreads false reports or makes false statements likely to cause public alarm, may be punished with imprisonment of up to five years,' said BHEUU. - BERNAMA More Like This
