12/12/2025

FRIDAY | DEC 12, 2025

3

Over 7,000 child violence, sexual offence cases recorded

More than 20,000 applications resolved PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has resolved more than 20,000 long-standing applications involving undocumented children, identity cards and citizenship matters this year, achieving its complete clearance target ahead of schedule. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Negara yesterday that he had instructed officers to review backlogged cases throughout the year, adding that prolonged delays previously left applicants waiting as long as 12 years. “I set a target that 20,000 applications must be (addressed) this year. No more cases waiting five years, seven years, 10 years or 12 years. “This involves the Population and Citizenship Division and the National Registration Department. “As of Dec 10, the target has been achieved and 20,032 cases have been resolved. “They began as undocumented children, so we settled the documentation issues first, then the citizenship matter.” He was responding to Senator Mohd Hasbie Muda, who asked for the number of undocumented children whose registration cases were received and resolved in 2024 and this year. Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry has also prioritised documentation issues among school-going children flagged under the Education Ministry’s Menyemai Kasih Rakyat programme. “The Education Ministry handed over 12,101 students in mainstream schools who had no documents or incomplete documents. “Within six months, we resolved most of them, except 1,766 cases. “The unresolved ones involved families who did not cooperate or students who left school, or moved without follow-up.” He said early intervention is critical because undocumented children face severe administrative and socioeconomic barriers if their status is not resolved before adolescence. “If the issue of undocumented children is not addressed early, they would face problems when they reach the age of 12. They cannot obtain a MyKad. “If they fall sick and go to the hospital, the fees are higher. Continuing their education also becomes difficult.” He also told the Dewan Negara that the government does not have complete nationwide data on undocumented children because births that are never registered do not enter any official record. “Government data exists only when a birth is registered. “If it is not registered, the government does not have that information,” he said, citing parental negligence, drug-related incarceration and remote living locations as common causes of non-registration. He said the priority of the ministry remains ensuring no child is left without documentation due to administrative delays or unresolved legacy cases. – By Faiz Ruzman

complaints centre to combat the problem.” Addressing concerns of underreporting and possible misconduct by enforcement personnel, Saifuddin Nasution said accountability mechanisms remain in place. “Police have responsibilities and accountability. “Failure to meet standards subjects them to the Integrity and Standard Compliance Department at Bukit Aman. “They are also bound by public-service regulations, conduct rules and disciplinary procedures, including warnings, fines, loss of emoluments or dismissal, depending on the severity of the offence.” He added that community involvement is now indispensable given the evolving complexity of crimes involving children. “The era of relying solely on police and the government has ended. Community leaders, religious leaders, teachers and parents must be involved. Without public cooperation, it is difficult to address incidents.”

children is not easy. That is why police have child interview centres. “Special interview techniques and video recording are required. First, their trauma needs to be addressed before they speak. “Their statements must also be admissible in court. That is the process.” He also said protection measures for children are activated immediately upon identifying a case. “Police work with the Health Ministry and the Social Welfare Department for counselling, medical treatment and psychological support. (Children) are then referred to protection homes because the Child Act 2001 requires it.” Preventive efforts have also been intensified, especially in schools. “School liaison officers conduct continuous awareness programmes with students in cooperation with various regulatory agencies. “D11 Bukit Aman will also receive RM20 million for digital forensic equipment, capacity building, intensified campaigns and establishing a one-stop

o Rise in incidents has required improved investigative methods, says Home minister

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

812 so far this year.” Saifuddin was responding to Senator Datuk Nelson W. Angang, who had asked for the latest data on domestic violence and sexual abuse involving children and their guardians. He added that the rise in cases has required police to improve investigative procedures, particularly when taking statements from children. “First, from the legal standpoint. Generally, two laws are used. One is the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, usually sections 5 to 15. “The second is the Penal Code, involving sections 375, 376, 377 and 354. “In terms of legal authority, because the cases involve children, they fall under the Sexual, Women and Children Investigation Division, (D11) Bukit Aman. “Obtaining evidence from Nasution

PETALING JAYA: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Negara yesterday more than 7,000 cases of violence and sexual offences involving children and their guardians have been recorded from 2021 to November this year. He said police logged 4,079 cases of violence involving children and their guardians. “We recorded 707 cases in 2021, 502 in 2022, 612 in 2023, 1,201 in 2024 and 1,057 up to November this year.” On sexual offences committed by guardians, including parents, teachers, babysitters and adoptive family members, he said police recorded 3,042 cases. “For this (type of) cases, the breakdown was 418 in 2021, 511 in 2022, 634 in 2023, 667 in 2024 and KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has carried out its most extensive crackdown on illegal dumping, shutting down 3,634 illegal dump sites across seven states, the highest ever recorded nationwide. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the operation, conducted under the ministry’s initiative known as the Success Outreach Programme: Operation to Eradicate and Close Illegal Dumpsites, marks SWCorp’s most comprehensive enforcement effort since the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) came into force. A total of 1,530 tonnes of solid waste were removed at a cost of RM406,500. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment. The Madani government will not compromise on public cleanliness.” He also announced several new initiatives to strengthen enforcement and speed up response times. These include a dedicated WhatsApp hotline (013-210 7472) for residents to report illegal dumping, with action guaranteed within 24 hours, a mobile app enabling the public to track cleaning operations and a patrol unit equipped with 100 newly acquired motorcycles now deployed in all states where Act 672 is in force. To enhance officer safety, the ministry has approved SWCorp’s application to establish an armed enforcement unit, pending approval from the Home Ministry. Beyond shutting down illegal dump sites, SWCorp seized 23 Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Operation shuts down 3,634 illegal dump sites

Nga (centre) supervising a team as they clean up an illegal dump site. – KIRTINEE RAMESH/THESUN

already operational. “The monitoring system has led to eight arrests, all of which have resulted in charges in court. “The ministry plans to expand CCTV coverage and eventually incorporate AI-driven monitoring to enhance detection.” He also credited residents who have acted as “community intelligence agents” by photographing illegal dumping activities and sending them via WhatsApp. “This cooperation ensures our motorcycle patrol units are able to react swiftly.”

“Anyone caught littering and convicted will face a RM2,000 compound and 12 hours of mandatory community service, including cleaning drains, sweeping streets and washing public toilets,” he said, adding that the law aims not only to punish but also to cultivate awareness. “After almost 70 years of independence, we should know where to throw our rubbish.” Addressing concerns over the resurgence of illegal dump sites, he said the ministry has begun installing CCTV cameras at key locations, with 47 units

vehicles linked to illegal dumping this year, while 22 offenders were charged in court. Compounds amounting to nearly RM400,000 were issued. Nga expressed appreciation for the Fire and Rescue Department as “national rescue heroes” and to SWCorp personnel as “heroes of public cleanliness”. He said with Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, and about 40 million tourists expected, maintaining public hygiene must remain a national priority. He also said the new Community Service Act will take effect on Jan 1.