KUALA LUMPUR – Law and institutional reform minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has outlined the functions of the new Children’s Commission under the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).
In a statement, she said the commission’s duties will be to promote awareness and education on children’s rights to the government and the public.
The commission will also advise Putrajaya of its international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child and other statutes.
It will also assist the federal government in enacting legislation, as well as provide administrative direction on procedures and actions to be taken.
Importantly, the commission will also be able to conduct investigations and inquiries into complaints about violations against children.
The children’s commissioner, who will be a member of Suhakam, will spearhead the establishment of the commission, she added.
“The commissioner will be named after receiving consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in line with laws in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 (on such appointments),” the Pengerang MP said.
The forming of the Children’s Commission was announced yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The idea was previously mooted by Azalina to oversee child-related matters, including crimes and police investigations.
She said the commission would provide society with a better understanding of child victims’ rights and how criminal investigations involving children should be carried out.
There is also a need to address loopholes in the law regarding crimes against children or in police investigation procedures.
The proposal for the commission was reignited following the recent rape of a 16-year-old girl by a police inspector at a police station where she had gone to report her rape by another man. – The Vibes, January 19, 2023
