Statutory rape: Safeguarding the children must come first, govt told

Statutory rape: Safeguarding the children must come first, govt told

By Bernie Yeo
1 hour ago

AN MCA leader said underage sex is a serious issue that demands sensitivity, balance, and compassion, adding that the nation’s laws and enforcement practices must protect children, not punish them unfairly or expose them to further trauma and humiliation.


Its women’s wing chief Datuk Wong You Fong was responding to Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat who said on Sunday (Sept 21) that underage girls who have consensual sex should also face legal action when their partners are charged with statutory rape.


“We must emphasise that these children are still developing, with young minds that need guidance. If anything, it is adults who have failed to protect them from such harm,” Wong stressed.

“What children need are proper education, counselling, and family support. They deserve to grow up with healthy sexual education and clear boundaries that keep them safe while allowing them to develop with dignity.”

Wong further noted that Mohd Yusoff’s statement runs counter the Penal Code which already deals with statutory rape as pointed out by Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.

“Existing legislations, for example the Penal Code, Sexual Offences Against Children Act, the Child Act already deal with sexual crimes against minors and implementation of legislations need to be in accordance with the law,” Wong pointed out.

“Ultimately, the law and society cannot deviate from the central aim of protecting children from harm. The objective should never be to shift blame between boys and girls, or to frame children as offenders.

“Instead, our shared responsibility is to safeguard the wellbeing of Malaysian children. The focus should remain on prevention, education, counselling, support and safe environments—not on punitive measures that fail to recognise their vulnerability.”

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat was reported yesterday as suggesting that underage girls who willingly engage in sex should also face legal consequences when their partners are prosecuted for statutory rape. ‒ Sept 24, 2025

***

as stated previously, Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat should be sacked