The impending return of a serial rapist, believed to have attacked more than 1,000 women in Canada warrants the expediting of Malaysia's sex offenders' registry, the Penang Women's Development Corporation (PWDC) said.

"The recent news on the impending return of Selva Kumar Subbiah to Malaysia has stirred questions on the country's measures of ensuring public safety from possible threats by sex offenders.

"PWDC would like to urge the federal government of Malaysia to expedite the setting-up of a sex offenders' registry outside Anglosphere, in order to uphold the rights of all, especially children, to live in a safer environment," it said in a statement yesterday.

PWDC noted that countries such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand already have a sex offenders' registry, accessible by law enforcement agencies.

It added that the United States was the only country that allows public access to its sex offenders' registry, providing information on high-risk individuals.

Addressing privacy concerns, PWDC said the access to Malaysia's sex offenders' registry could be limited to authorised organisations or individuals, and this should be kept confidential.

"The Malaysian government may adopt and apply whichever model that fits the local context," it said, adding that this should be done "soonest".

Selva Kumar is expected to be deported to Malaysia after serving a 24-year jail sentence.

He is still seen as high risk, having been denied parole due to his reportedly unrepentant behaviour.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has promised that the authorities will keep a close watch on him upon his return.