Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has said her ministry is working to set up by next year a new system to monitor convicts, especially those sentenced for violent and sexual offences against children.

This is a joint effort between the ministry and the Malaysian Administration, Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) as well as the police, the judiciary and the Prisons Department among others.

"With this system, schools, children's institutions, childcare centres and school bus operators can submit applications for the vetting of candidates before hiring staff.

“This is to ensure that individuals who have criminal records are not hired by businesses catering for children," she said during her winding-up speech in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Wan Azizah, who is also the deputy prime minister, later told Malaysiakini that her ministry was pushing for the system to be ready by next year.

"It is urgent and the work and data are being coordinated with the courts, police and prisons.

"Initially, employers and parents will be given access but we will have to work out the details," she said.

A Child Registry has already been set up under the Child Act (Amendment) 2016 but it was previously reported that the government will not be opening the registry to the public.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh had also previously said the ministry was looking to amend the Child Act to further enhance the registry.