An end to whipping for child offenders is among several amendments to the Child Act that was tabled for its first reading today.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim proposed community service as a substitute punishment for children who have run-ins with the law.

Community service will also be imposed as additional punishment on adults who are found guilty of abusing children.

"This is to rehabilitate them," Rohani said at a press conference in the Parliament lobby.

Besides community service, adults found guilty of abusing, neglecting, and mistreating children can also be slapped with heavier fines and lengthier jail terms.

The fine for child abusers will be raised to a maximum of RM50,000, and they can also be jailed for up to 20 years once the amendments are passed.

Currently, the maximum fine is RM20,000 and the maximum jail sentence is 10 years.

Also punish those who keep mum

Besides punishing child abusers, those who keep mum can also be punished.

Family members convicted for not reporting abuse are currently only punished if they violate the terms of the bond they were released on.

The amendments, however, will guarantee that they will either be fined RM5,000, jailed two years, or both.

Meanwhile, children who are taken away from abusive parents will be submitted to the care of family members, not the welfare department.

"We don't want to cut them off from their family's love. We will only take them into our institutions as a last resort," Rohani said.

She added that the government will ensure that the children's new caretakers are safe and fit to care for the child, and that there will be weekly inspections.

Other amendments to the Child Act include heavier punishment for those who exploit children by making them beg for alms, from a RM2,000 fine and two years in jail to a RM20,000 fine and five years in jail.