Latest news with #SexualOffencesAgainstChildrenAct2017
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Saifuddin: 46,086 cybercrime cases probed last year
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 46,086 investigation papers were opened last year in connection with various cyber-related offences, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the cases were investigated under several key laws, including the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. "Of the total, the prosecution rate reached 49 per cent," he said in response to Chong Zhemin (PH–Kampar), who inquired about the number of reported cybercrime cases in 2024 and the measures taken by the ministry to enhance public digital security. Saifuddin added, "Although from the police's perspective, we feel the investigation papers are yielding results, the public's expectations are higher." Meanwhile, on the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC), now operating under the direct leadership of the police, Saifuddin said the centre would operate 24/7. "Previously, there were complaints about the NSRC's limited operating hours, even though scams can happen at any time. Therefore, we will now operate around the clock, seven days a week. "Currently, we receive an average of 500 scam-related calls daily, and this trend is increasing — so we must respond accordingly." He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had agreed for the Public Service Department to consider approving 139 new positions to strengthen the NSRC. The NSRC is a joint initiative between the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre, the police, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, financial institutions, and the telecommunications industry.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Man, son arrested over sexual assault of 13-year-old
BALIK PULAU: Police have detained a father and son for sexual offences against their own family member over the past two years. The sexual abuse began when the girl was 13 and continued until she turned 15. The most recent incident took place on July 8 at their apartment in Bayan Lepas. Southwest district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam said at about 11pm on that day, the victim was summoned by her father into the bedroom to pass her some pocket money for school. The man had allegedly sexually molested the victim, an incident which happened often since she was 13. He said the victim was also raped several times by her brother since she was 13, for a year. "The victim related the incident to her mother about 1pm last Friday after the woman wanted her son to look after the girl, who often skipped school. "The victim then came to the police station to report the incident," he said tonight. Following the report, Sazalee said police arrested the 52-year-old father and his 22-year-old son. The father had no prior record, while the son did. Investigations revealed the abuse occurred when the victim was alone at home. "The last rape incident happened mid-2024 by her brother. "The victim was referred to the Penang Hospital for examination," he added. Sazalee said both suspects have been remanded since last Saturday. The case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code for rape and Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Filter, monitor: Every parent's role to safeguard children online
By equipping families to monitor, communicate, and set healthy boundaries online, Kempen Internet Selamat reinforces the message that internet safety starts at home but requires the involvement of all. – AI Image KUALA LUMPUR: Today's children are more digitally connected than ever, with access to games, learning tools, and social media at their fingertips but, this connectivity brings serious risks, especially from child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Many people think only the government or police can tackle this, but experts say that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility for everyone. The Kempen Internet Selamat (KIS) continues to prioritise public education on the importance of digital safety, especially in addressing the threat of CSAM. The campaign promotes practical tools and family-based strategies to empower parents in their role as digital guardians. By equipping families to monitor, communicate, and set healthy boundaries online, KIS reinforces the message that internet safety starts at home but requires the involvement of all. 'Addressing CSAM is not solely the responsibility of the police or the government, it is a responsibility we all share,' says David Ho, Founder and Executive director of Navigator Asia Business Sdn Bhd and parent. David Ho With predators exploiting every gap in oversight and awareness, a collective approach is essential to build multiple layers of protection. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 in Malaysia further underscores this collective responsibility, requiring anyone who becomes aware of child sexual abuse to report it immediately. Parents and guardians are the first line of defense against these threats. Ho emphasises that 'parents need to build open communication with their children, making it safe for them to discuss uncomfortable issues.' By creating an environment where children feel comfortable sharing, parents can identify early signs of grooming or inappropriate behavior. Monitoring is another crucial component where parents should regularly check their children's devices, friend lists, and browsing history. Setting clear digital boundaries through family internet agreements can help outline appropriate online behavior, define prohibited websites, and establish consequences for violations. Ho also stresses that 'families need to stay informed about the latest trends and risks to guide their children effectively.' In addition to proactive parenting, technology provides powerful tools for safeguarding children online. Parental control software like Bark and Qustodio offers comprehensive features including content filtering, screen time management, and AI-based monitoring of social media interactions. These solutions help detect issues such as cyberbullying, inappropriate texting, and mental health red flags before they escalate. At the network level, router-based parental controls can block harmful content for all devices connected to the home Wi-Fi. Device-specific controls, often built into smartphones and tablets, allow parents to set screen time limits and restrict access to age-inappropriate content. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), together with local telcos, has introduced initiatives to make these tools more accessible to families nationwide. Content filtering technologies are also indispensable in the fight against online exploitation. Automated systems leveraging cryptographic hashing and AI-powered image classifiers can detect and block CSAM in real time. These systems adapt to new tactics as predators evolve, preventing exposure to harmful content and supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting detected material. Despite these tools, the most advanced technology cannot replace vigilance. Parents and caregivers should watch for warning signs that a child might be exposed to harmful content. Sudden changes in behavior, excessive secrecy about online activities, unexplained gifts, and knowledge of sexual topics beyond their age are all red flags. Other grooming indicators include adults isolating the child, giving gifts without parental consent, or encouraging the child to keep secrets. Community involvement plays a critical role in child online safety. Awareness campaigns, school-based digital literacy programmes, and family-centered workshops are vital for educating both children and adults. 'Community awareness increases vigilance and promotes reporting of suspicious behavior,' says Ho. Programmes such as Vietnam's 'Swipe Safe' have shown that community-driven education can significantly improve protective behaviors and awareness among young people and their families. Peer networks also empower children to support each other. When young people are educated about online safety, they are more likely to recognise grooming tactics and alert adults or friends. This peer-to-peer approach is highly effective in creating a protective environment around children. Collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations further strengthens child protection efforts. Through resource sharing, joint training, and coordinated responses, these partnerships can develop advanced detection technologies and provide essential support services for victims and families. Malaysia's adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Children from all Forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse and its national Plan of Action on Child Online Protection highlight the importance of these collaborations. Technology companies also play a significant role in combating CSAM. They must implement advanced detection systems, enforce strict age verification processes, and provide easy-to-use reporting tools for users. Transparency reports that detail efforts to combat CSAM can build public trust and encourage ongoing improvements. Furthermore, companies should maintain close cooperation with law enforcement and child protection organizations to ensure swift responses to emerging threats. Continuous updates to AI moderation systems help keep pace with new evasion techniques used by predators. Ultimately, the fight against CSAM and online exploitation requires an unwavering commitment from every sector of society. As parents, teachers, community members, and digital citizens, they all have a role in protecting children and seeing the red flags. By combining strong family communication, robust monitoring, community involvement, and technological safeguards, coming together can create a safer online environment for our children. Ho explains that parents and community, 'Make the Internet a safer place for the next generation.' This call to action serves as a powerful reminder that a community can disrupt the cycles of harm and build a digital future where children can learn, connect, and explore safely. Through collective action and constant vigilance, the solutions to these challenges are within reach. As the community continues to strengthen the defenses and educate communities, it can ensure that the internet becomes a space for growth and discovery rather than exploitation and danger.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Teen girl duped into sending nude photos on Telegram in health scam
MANJUNG: A 15-year-old girl has become the latest victim of an online scam after being deceived into sending nude photographs to an individual posing as a medical officer on the Telegram messaging platform. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Hasbullah Abd Rahman said the teenager had been tricked into believing she was participating in a virtual health screening for cervical and breast cancer. He said the victim was instructed to submit personal and family information, along with several nude images, allegedly for medical examination purposes. "The suspect convinced the victim that the procedure only required her photographs. The victim complied, believing it to be a legitimate request from a medical professional. "Upon realising she had been scammed, the teenager lodged a police report out of fear that the images might be shared online," he said in a statement yesterday. He added that police have so far received two related reports, and investigations are ongoing under Section 15(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both, upon conviction. He also urged parents, educators, and the general public to remain vigilant and proactive in educating children about the dangers of sharing personal information or images online. "This case highlights the critical need for awareness, especially among young people, about digital safety and online predators. "We urge parents and schools to continuously remind children not to share personal data or images with strangers online," he said. He added that the public is also advised to activate two-step verification on messaging apps like Telegram to protect their social media accounts from unauthorised access. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Inspector Nur Munawarah Ahmad at 011-1624 0391, the Manjung IPD Operations Room at 05-688 6222, or via the WhatsApp hotline at 017-682 8005 to assist with the investigation.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Police investigate Telegram scam involving teen's nude photos
IPOH: Police are investigating two reports involving a 15-year-old girl who was tricked into sending nude photographs to an individual posing as a medical doctor on Telegram. Manjung district police chief, ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman (pic), stated that preliminary investigations showed the girl had sent several nude images after being misled by the suspect. The girl claimed the suspect contacted her through Telegram, introducing himself as a doctor conducting remote health screenings. 'She was asked to provide personal and family details, along with nude photographs, allegedly for cervical and breast cancer screening. The victim was told only photos were needed, with no physical examination required. She later realised she had been deceived and lodged a police report fearing the images might be leaked,' said Hasbullah. The case is being investigated under Section 15(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Investigating Officer Inspector Nur Munawarah at 011-1624 0391 or the Manjung District Police Headquarters at 05-688 6222. Hasbullah advised parents and the public to remain cautious about online interactions, avoid sharing personal details with strangers, and enable Telegram's two-step verification for added security. - Bernama
