Govt launches tougher laws, mobile courts to tackle child sexual crimes and protect victims
The Malaysian government is strengthening its efforts to protect children from sexual crimes by amending the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792), expanding special criminal courts, and providing training for legal officers. Key amendments to Act 792 include replacing "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material", criminalizing live-streaming of sexual crimes and sextortion, and mandating victim compensation. The Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866) further bolsters online safety by requiring platforms to remove child sexual abuse content. 81 Special Courts for Sexual Crimes Against Children and mobile courts are now available nationwide to improve access to justice. Specialized training for legal professionals is also being conducted to enhance the handling of child-related cases.
