THE Kelantan Police have confirmed that underage girls involved in cases of consensual sexual activity are now being referred to the Kelantan Department of Islamic Religious Affairs (JAHEAIK) for action, a practice that has been in place since October.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusuff Mamat said that women who are not underage but engage in consensual sexual acts are also being referred to JAHEAIK.
“We held a meeting with JAHEAIK two months ago following a directive from the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, requesting cooperation between the police and JAHEAIK to address this issue,” he said.
“Since two months ago, we have referred five underage girls involved in consensual sexual cases to JAHEAIK for action. On the male side, we prosecute them in court, but because there is no law to take action against underage girls, we refer them to JAHEAIK,” he added.
Datuk Mohd Yusuff spoke to reporters after attending the monthly assembly at the Kelantan Police Contingent Headquarters.
He added the approach is aimed at addressing sexual assault and consensual sexual offences effectively.
“Currently, the trend of rape cases is declining. I am unsure whether families or victims are reluctant to lodge police reports.
“However, in the latest case, it was the hospital that filed the report because the teenager was already pregnant,” he said. - December 18, 2025