Malaysia to Take Unified Approach to Beat Child Sex Crimes
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30, 2025 – Malaysia will implement a nationwide, multi-agency strategy to address the alarming rise in child sexual abuse, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced yesterday after chairing the National Social Council (NSC) meeting.
Ahmad Zahid emphasized the severity of the situation, citing a 53.2% surge in reported child sexual crime cases—from 2,541 cases in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024. The number of victims has also increased dramatically, from 2,561 individuals to 3,988, a 55.7% rise in the same period.
“This issue requires immediate and comprehensive action,” Ahmad Zahid stated. “We will coordinate efforts between the Royal Malaysia Police and several ministries, including Home Affairs, Women, Family and Community Development, and Youth and Sports, to create an integrated, effective response.”
One of the key initiatives announced is a national seminar scheduled for November, focused on child protection and combating both sexual and cybercrimes. This event aims to unite stakeholders and experts to propose actionable strategies, especially in light of evolving digital threats.
Ahmad Zahid warned of the growing sophistication in criminal behavior, including the exploitation of deepfake technology and digital identity theft. These tactics, he noted, make it harder to detect abuse and easier for predators to target children online.
The Deputy Prime Minister also referred to recent data from the Bukit Aman CID’s D11 Division, which reported 11,479 cases of child sex abuse between 2022 and April 2025—a figure that underscores the urgency of the NSC’s action.
To support its agenda, the NSC is finalizing the National Social Policy 2030 (DSN 2030) and its Action Plan 2026–2030, both of which will be presented to the Cabinet this October. These frameworks are expected to guide social development efforts, including child protection and mental health.
Mental health challenges among vulnerable populations were also discussed, particularly the homeless, who often lack access to proper psychiatric care. The NSC endorsed a Health Ministry proposal to create psychiatric nursing homes to provide tailored treatment and housing.
Another major outcome of the meeting was the recommendation to establish a Special Committee for Islamic Pre-School Education, tasked with improving standards in safety, health, teacher training, and curriculum for religious early education providers.
Addressing another pressing issue—graduate job mismatch—Ahmad Zahid highlighted the progress of the MyMAHIR initiative, a skills development programme under the Human Resources Ministry and TalentCorp. The scheme currently supports 66 industry-based training programmes targeting sectors such as semiconductors, AI, data analytics, and green technologies.
“These programmes are designed not only to upskill graduates but to ensure job placement,” he said. “Graduates completing MyMAHIR training can expect monthly salaries between RM3,000 and RM6,000, depending on the sector.”
Ahmad Zahid stressed that the NSC will be the central body overseeing the implementation of DSN 2030, ensuring that all initiatives are impact-driven, measurable, and held to strict standards of accountability.
To strengthen its oversight capabilities, the NSC will expand to include additional ministries such as Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Agriculture and Food Security, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories).
“This is a national mission,” Ahmad Zahid concluded. “We must act decisively and collaboratively to protect our children, strengthen our families, and ensure a safe, just society for future generations.”
