PUTRAJAYA: Amendments to the Child Act 2001, currently under study by the Attorney-General’s Chambers, will hopefully be implemented soon to allow for heavier penalties for imposition on those commiting crimes against children.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said crimes against children were a cause for concern as they continued to occur despite intensification of the family and caring society programmes.
“We have extensive amendments which are more than 70 per cent, including heavier penalties as well as ways to handle the cases,” she told reporters after the ministry’s 2012 Excellent Services Award ceremony here yesterday.
Commenting on a six-year-old girl who died in Sarawak last Friday, believed to be a victim of child abuse, Rohani expressed sadness over the incident.
She said two counsellors had been sent to assist the parents of the child overcome their trauma following the incident.
On the amendments, Rohani said they would also include programmes whereby, as a precautionary measure, the local community would have information on those who committed crimes against children. — Bernama