Permata patron Rosmah Mansor today launched a holding room for child witnesses, named 'Permata room' at the country's first special court on sexual crimes against children in Putrajaya.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, in his officiating speech of the special court today, congratulated and thanked Permata for its contributions in providing the necessities for the holding room.

Permata, a child enrichment programme, was also instrumental in organising the "Child Sexual Abuse: Stop It!" seminar in March, which aimed to find solutions to child sexual crimes.

During the launch of the room today, books showcasing both Najib and Rosmah on the front covers were placed on top of the room's coffee table.

Checks after the event, however, found that the books were no longer there.

The holding room also boasts a leisure room and a witness room, complete with a video link function for real-time recording of child witnesses during court proceedings.

Unlike normal court proceedings, child witnesses in sexual crimes against children will be placed in the separate witness room instead of being in the courtroom.

Pointing out how the holding room was like a nursery, Law Minister Azalina Othman Said during a press conference later explained they aim to ensure that the children would be comfortable.

Aside from the separate leisure and witness rooms, the holding room's living area has sofas and a flat screen television.

The room also has two computers and a small dining table, as well as a fridge and microwave.

Bean bags line the room at a corner between book racks and cabinets for toys.

The Dewan Rakyat in April passed the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill which, among others, considers children as competent witnesses for sexual crime cases.

The special court will be operational on July 4.