Azalina proposes full time, independent children’s commissioner

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said is proposing a full-time children’s commissioner to look after children's issues, such as those who have to testify as victims in criminal cases.

"Currently, the children’s commissioner is under Suhakam but we think it needs a specific position with tenure and remuneration.

"In the future, we are looking into the plan of establishing an independent children’s commission," Azalina told reporters at a function in her parliamentary constituency of Pengerang.

"When it comes to sexual crimes against children, there is the issue of extraction of evidence. When it's time to testify in court, they will be older or might feel ashamed. Also, when the child is a victim or witness, they may come under pressure to withdraw their testimony.

"That's why, if we use rape as an example, the rape kit can be used as evidence at the time of the incident. The protocol is that if the case involves a child, the police officer investigating should be a woman," she said.

Azalina referred to the recent case in Yan, Kedah when a police inspector was charged in the Sessions Court with raping an underage girl in a police station last month.

Mohd Maliki Azmi, 34, as the investigating officer (IO) of a case, allegedly raped the 16-year-old girl with her consent, which was obtained by using his position of authority over her, in the IO’s room at the Yan district police headquarters at about 6.30pm on Dec 28.

"Sometimes the families themselves are not familiar with the procedure and do not know their rights," lamented Azalina.

She said she had proposed the appointment of a full-time children's commissioner in cabinet and that the idea was agreed upon by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"I would like to see this becoming an independent role with an oversight body that allows for an in-depth look at the issues facing children and this also includes health, safety, and education.

“Children need to be informed of their rights and we must give them the correct information.

"This is not just a legal issue. It could be an awareness program that I will discuss with the education minister," said Azalina.

Bukit Aman’s sexual, women, and child investigation division (D11) said in September that in 2021, there were 4,031 victims of sexual crimes and 2,234 of them were children.

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