Latest news with #MSN
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia adopts integrated strategy to combat child sexual crimes
PUTRAJAYA: The government will implement an integrated strategy involving multiple ministries and agencies to combat the alarming 53.2% increase in sexual crimes against children over the past four years. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the initiative following a National Social Council (MSN) meeting, highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated response. Statistics reveal a sharp rise in cases, from 2,541 in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024, with victim numbers climbing by 55.7%. Ahmad Zahid attributed the surge to evolving criminal tactics, including deepfake technology and digital identity theft. 'The Home Ministry, police, and relevant agencies will collaborate to address this issue firmly and effectively,' he said. A key measure includes a November seminar titled 'Child Protection: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes.' The meeting also reviewed progress on the National Social Policy 2030 and the upcoming 2026-2030 Action Plan, set for Cabinet approval in October. Homelessness among untreated mentally ill individuals was another concern, prompting support for a Health Ministry task force to establish psychiatric care homes. Additionally, discussions covered Islamic preschool education reforms and graduate skills mismatches, with 2.06 million graduates currently underemployed. The MyMAHIR initiative, offering industry-aligned training and job guarantees, aims to bridge this gap, with 66 programmes approved in high-demand sectors like AI and green energy. MSN membership has also expanded to include five more ministries for stronger policy execution. – Bernama
Barnama
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Govt Adopts Integrated Approach To Tackle Sexual Crimes Against Children
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, July 29 (Bernama) -- The government will adopt an integrated approach involving various ministries and agencies to address the sharp rise in cases of sexual crimes against children, which have surged by 53.2 per cent over the past four years. Deputy Prime Minister and National Social Council (MSN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it will involve the Home Ministry, Royal Malaysia Police, Youth and Sports Ministry, and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to tackle the issue comprehensively, firmly and effectively. 'Statistics show that cases of sexual crimes against children rose from 2,541 in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024. 'The number of victims also increased from 2,561 to 3,988 over the same period, a jump of 55.7 per cent,' he said in a statement after chairing the MSN Meeting No. 2/2025 here today. Ahmad Zahid said technological advancements and the industrial revolution have led to increasingly sophisticated criminal modus operandi, including the use of deepfake technology and digital identity theft. Other planned measures include organising the 'Child Protection: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes' seminar in November. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Social Policy 2030 and the development of the 2026-2030 Action Plan, which is in its final phase and will be presented to the Cabinet in October. Ahmad Zahid said the issue of homeless individuals with mental disorders who have not received treatment due to the lack of special placement facilities was also raised. 'The council supports the Health Ministry's initiative to set up a task force to establish a psychiatric nursing care home,' he said.
The Star
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Govt to adopt integrated approach to tackle rising child sexual crimes, says Ahmad Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will implement a whole-of-government strategy to address the alarming rise in child sexual crimes, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealing that such cases surged by over 50% in just four years. Citing official statistics, Ahmad Zahid said reported child sexual offences rose from 2,541 cases in 2020 to 3,892 cases in 2024, an increase of 53.2%. He revealed that the number of victims also grew from 2,561 to 3,988, marking a 55.7% jump. "This upward trend is deeply concerning. The evolution of technology and the industrial revolution have introduced more sophisticated criminal methods, including deepfake technology and digital identity theft. "To tackle this issue comprehensively and effectively, the government will adopt an integrated approach involving the Home Ministry, the police, Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry," he said in a statement after chairing the second National Social Council (MSN) meeting for 2025 on Tuesday (July 29). He said among the initiatives planned is the Children's Protection Seminar: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes, which will be held in November. Ahmad Zahid stressed that MSN remains a critical platform for coordinating cross-ministerial social policy implementation in line with the Madani government's commitment to building an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous society. "To strengthen the impact of policy implementation, MSN membership has now been expanded to include strategic ministries such as the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories)," he said. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Social Policy (DSN) 2030 and progress on its Action Plan 2026–2030, which Ahmad Zahid said is now in its final phase and will be presented to the Cabinet in October. "The DSN 2030 is the umbrella policy that harmonises 44 national social policies. Its action plan must be executed in a targeted and high-impact manner, with regular monitoring, impact measurement, and high accountability from all agencies," he said. He said the council also examined several social challenges, including the plight of mentally ill homeless individuals who have slipped through the cracks of mental health intervention due to the lack of dedicated facilities. "We support the Health Ministry's initiative to establish a taskforce to build psychiatric nursing care homes," Ahmad Zahid said. Another key proposal discussed was the formation of a Special Committee on National Preschool Islamic Education, aimed at streamlining issues related to registration, safety, health, curriculum strategy, and teaching personnel - a step Ahmad Zahid described as crucial in strengthening early childhood education systems. The meeting also addressed graduate skill mismatch, with Ahmad Zahid highlighting a Statistics Department's report that showed 2.06 million graduates currently working in jobs that do not match their qualifications. "To resolve this strategically, the Human Resources Ministry and TalentCorp have launched the MyMahir initiative," he said. So far, he said 66 industry-based training programmes have been approved under the Future Skills Talent Council, covering high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the green economy. "These programmes offer not only high-skill training but also job guarantees, with average starting salaries ranging from RM3,000 to RM6,000 per month," Ahmad Zahid said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Malaysia positions itself as regional Muaythai organiser, reinforces support for IOC-recognised body
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strengthening its role as a regional Muaythai organiser with a string of high-profile championships lined up through 2025 and 2026, backed by robust government support and strict alignment with international sporting standards, says Adam Adli. The Deputy Youth and Sports Minister said the Malaysian Muaythai Association (PMM), with the support of the ministry and the National Sports Council (MSN), would host the 2025 National Championships (July 24–27 at Axiata Arena), the Asean Senior and Junior Championship (Aug 27–30 at Paradigm Mall) and two major international events in 2026 - the IFMA Senior World Championship and the inaugural IFMA World School Muaythai Championship. He said these events form part of Malaysia's preparation for the 2025 and 2027 SEA Games, while also aiming to attract more youth participation in the combat sport. 'The ministry, through MSN, has long partnered with PMM, the sole national body recognised by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) - the only Muaythai organisation endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 'To strengthen the sport's development, RM1.585mil was allocated through the Sports Matching Grant (GPS), RM247,000 via the National Sports Trust Fund (KWASN) and RM55,000 under the Community Sports Fund (DSK) for Muaythai competitions nationwide as of June 2025,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 28). According to Adam, clubs such as Muaythai Rentap in Sarawak received RM95,000 for organising the Rentap Fighting Championship 6 on July 11–12. In 2024, he said the club also received RM11,000 to prepare athletes for national and international tournaments. 'In the same year, RM170,000 was allocated by MSN for national athletes' participation in key IFMA events, including the World Championship in Greece and the prestigious King's Cup in Thailand, as well as for overseas training camps.' The support, he said, covers travel expenses, training fees, participation costs, meals and accommodation - reflecting a strategic push to maintain Malaysia's competitive edge in the global Muaythai scene. While not a core Olympic or Asian Games sport, Adam said Muaythai is classified under MSN's phased support programme. 'Funding is provided selectively to athletes and associations that meet the performance benchmarks set by MSN and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).' He said medal-winning athletes in IFMA-sanctioned events are also eligible for rewards under the Sports Victory Prize Scheme (SHAKAM). In a show of decentralised support, he said state-level Muaythai associations also received funding in 2024: RM215,000 for the Melaka International Muaythai Championship, RM200,000 each for the Sarawak Premier Cup and Perak's International Muay Championship and RM75,000 for the Sabah Muaythai Championship. 'A total of RM30,000 was also allocated to PMM for organising the National Youth Championships in 2023 and 2024. 'Muaythai remains a key feature of the Malaysia Games (Sukma), where it has been contested since 2013,' he added. Despite the sport's growing popularity, Adam said the ministry remains firm in supporting only IOC-aligned competitions. He said the Youth and Sports Ministry and MSN do not fund athlete participation in WBC Muaythai events or other professional circuits not recognised by the IOC. 'In Malaysia, only IFMA events are eligible for national support. Even Thailand does not send its national athletes to WBC Muaythai competitions,' he clarified, adding that WBC Muaythai events, like the Amazing Muaythai Festival, are commercial in nature and open to individual fighters or gyms globally, unlike Olympic-aligned tournaments, which require national body endorsement. That said, Adam added that KBS is exploring collaboration with the World Boxing Council (WBC) specifically for professional boxing, not Muaythai. In boxing, he said the ministry currently works with the Malaysian Boxing Federation (MBF), which is affiliated with World Boxing (WB) for athlete development.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Church worker made girl engage in sex act on video chats
Anthony Arr, 61, appeared at Newport Crown Court accused of offences against a 13-year-old girl in the Gwent area between 2009 and 2010. The court heard Arr – who was 45 at the time – began sending the girl messages calling her beautiful and mentioning the age gap between them after she added him on Facebook. Their conversations moved on to MSN, and they then began talking over webcams, the prosecution said. The chats would happen 'most nights' and occurred during the early hours of the morning – between around 2am and 5am – with the defendant asking 'Are you clear?' to check with the victim that she wouldn't be disturbed. Arr told the victim 'Get your kit off', and incited her to masturbate on the webchats. During this, he was also naked and he would masturbate whilst watching her on the webcam. During the chats, Arr told the girl: 'Don't worry, when we do have sex you won't be able to get pregnant', and referred to his vasectomy – telling her he had been 'snipped'. The defendant was married and employed by a church at the time. This offending stopped after he was caught having an affair with a woman. Arr was interviewed by police on October 5 last year. He admitted engaging in sexual communication with the girl, but said he believed she was '15 or 16'. Church worker Anthony Arr masturbated as he made a teenage girl strip in online chat. (Image: Gwent Police) The defendant, now of Laburnum Avenue in Skegness, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to two offences of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two offences of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. In a statement read to the court by the prosecution, the victim said she 'continually battled with' the effects of Arr's abuse. 'I was too scared to tell [my mum] and kept it to myself,' she said. 'I fear the impact of [the defendant's] offending is going to affect me for the rest of my life.' Josh Scouller, in mitigation, said: 'This does seem to be a particularly isolated incident. 'This occurred during the course of the breakdown of his marriage. He was in a very unhappy place. 'He acknowledges what he had done is wrong. He has never suggested otherwise. 'He broke off contact with the victim in this case. 'He hasn't sought to extend the pain by denying matters.' Sentencing Arr, Judge Carl Harrison said: 'You should be thoroughly ashamed of the damage you have caused the victim. 'Whilst she was going through this turmoil, you were able to go about your life as normal. 'It took the bravery of [the victim] to bring you to justice.' Arr was jailed for a total of four years and four months. He must register as a sex offender for life, and the victim was granted a life-long restraining order.
