Azalina dismisses K'tan top cop's call to change statutory rape laws

The government remains committed to upholding international standards in cases of rape, particularly those involving minors.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the recent view expressed by Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat was his personal opinion.

“For now, we adhere to the international standard that ‘statutory rape is statutory rape’.

“I don’t think we will be shifting away from that position,” she told reporters after attending the Malacca and Negeri Sembilan-level Anti-Bullying Tribunal Townhall session at the Al-Azim Mosque Auditorium in Malacca today.

Yesterday, Yusoff had suggested that discussions be held on “consensual rape” cases to consider action against both parties involved, instead of only against the male.

Azalina, however, said any proposal to improve the law could be channelled to the Criminal Law Reform Committee.

Meanwhile, she hinted that the Prime Minister’s Department’s Legal Affairs Division may hold a town hall session with minors to gather their feedback for the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of this year.

“Perhaps we will do it together with the children’s commissioner… we will invite the children, let them speak, and ask for their views because this law is meant for them.

“They may have their own ideas, suggestions, or criticisms. Today’s children are smart, very conscious of social media and other issues… maybe they will give us insights we ourselves are not aware of as adults,” she said.

- Bernama

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