Cops nab 13 suspects, seize 40k child sexual abuse materials

Summary 

• Police and MCMC nab 13 suspects on suspicion of online sexual offences involving child sexual abuse material.

• Razarudin says the joint raid was conducted across six states.

• One engineer was remanded for four days for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material.

The police, in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), conducted a joint operation dubbed “Op Pedo” on Dec 23, targeting individuals suspected of online sexual offences involving child sexual abuse material.

“This operation is aimed at tracking down child sexual offenders active online, especially on social media platforms, while raising awareness among parents, the public, and platform providers on their responsibility to protect children,” Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said in a statement today.

In the joint operation, Razarudin revealed that 13 local men aged between 20 and 74 were arrested across six states - Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, and Terengganu.

“During searches at the suspects’ residences, we found approximately 40,000 pieces of child sexual abuse material and adult pornography stored on various devices,” he said.

Among the confiscated items were seven desktop computers, one laptop, 11 mobile phones, and 16 modems and routers.

Thirteen investigation papers have been opened under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for possession of child sexual abuse material and Section 292 of the Penal Code for possession of obscene materials.

“The police will not compromise with any form of crime, and stern action will be taken against those involved,” Razarudin stressed.

He also urged the public, especially teenagers and children, to exercise self-control, and maintain moral boundaries during online interactions to avoid becoming victims.

He also urged members of the public to report any misuse of network facilities to the authorities.

Four-day remand

On a related matter, the New Straits Times reported that an engineer caught for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material in one of the raids has been remanded for four days.

The remand order was granted by the Penang Magistrate’s Court this morning.

The man, clad in a white T-shirt and black pants, had his head down as he was brought into the courtroom.

When confronted over the material during the raid, the man allegedly admitted to the police that he enjoyed looking at children as they were "fresh”.

The NST added that their investigation also showed how child sexual abuse material was being sold for as cheap as RM1 per video, raising concerns among parents over the safety of their children.

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