KUALA LUMPUR – An additional special criminal court on sexual crimes against children (JSKK) is necessary to deal with the high increase in such cases, said Special Select Committee on Women and Children Affairs and Social Development chairman Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
In pursuing the matter, she said, a request for a courtesy call on the chief justice had been made to discuss and seek a solution to the issue.
“This includes increasing the number of special posts of Grade JUSA C judicial officers for JSKK judges, developing capacity and strengthening the cooperation of various agencies to expedite the disposal of cases,” she said in a statement today.
The decision was made at the third meeting of the Select Committee on Women and Child Affairs and Social Development recently.
Other decisions include for the Malaysian Human Rights Commission to prepare a research paper on the mechanism for the establishment of an independent commission for children.
Apart from that, Azalina said three working committees have been formed under the Committee to Address Domestic Violence (JMKRT), namely the advocacy and capacity development, protection, and data committees.
She said the direction of the committee is to refine actions and mechanisms for the implementation and handling of cases holistically and effectively, including improving aspects of advocacy, protection and data reporting.
The meeting also agreed to involve members of the committee as observers in JMKRT, she said.
“For the next meeting, the Select Committee on Women and Children Affairs and Social Development has proposed to also invite non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders,” she added. – Bernama, October 2, 2021