Shopee acts against sale of 'child-like' sex dolls

E-commerce platform Shopee has taken action against several reported postings found to have been selling sex dolls resembling children.

Taking to Twitter, Shopee responded to an individual who reported her friend's discovery of the sex toys for sale and how there were buyers for the child-like dolls.

"Thank you for your report. We have informed the relevant team to take further action," Shopee said on Twitter.

The e-commerce platform also advised the public to file a complaint should they encounter sellers or products listed on the platform that do not comply with its policies.

When contacted, @masitah96 confirmed she had lodged a complaint with Shopee, as well as a separate report to Twitter against accounts that acted as "enablers" of paedophilia.

She also pointed out how one of the dolls on sale, for over RM1,000, was dressed in a baju kurung and that's "sick in the head".

Removed and banned

Malaysiakini's checks found that the seller had removed the posts.

In a statement, Shopee said it had immediately removed the listings from its platform as soon as it was alerted of the matter, on top of issuing a permanent ban on the associated seller accounts.

"This type of abhorrent content has no place on our platform, and we are conducting a site-wide review to ensure our users are protected from such listings.

"We are also investigating the sellers involved," said Shopee.

Meanwhile, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said the ministry had in the past received similar complaints and forwarded the matter for further action by police and the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission.

"The advertisement (posting for sale) must be taken down by MCMC. That is how we block the sale," she said.

Possession of a sex doll is among punishable offences under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code which is also applicable to the seller or distributor.

Woman held for allegedly insulting Agong on social media

Lab for counterfeit medicines busted, three nabbed

Baby girl abused at childcare centre in Batu Caves

Man charged with murdering pregnant girlfriend