KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 ― A total of 159 children were among those detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), and the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca), Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

In a reply to DAP's Klang MP Charles Santiago, Zahid said that under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) however, no children were detained.

"Seventeen children have been caught since the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, was gazetted and enforced. As for the Prevention of Crime Act 1959, 142 children were caught, whereas no children were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” Zahid who is also deputy prime minister said.

Charles has asked to reveal as to why a 16-year-old teenager by the name Ang Kian Kok was detained under Poca. He also asked the minister to state the number of children detained under Sosma, Poca and Pota respectively.

However, Zahid said that the police are still investigating the case against the teenager who was detained on September 13, 2017, and the ministry therefore does not intend to divulge any details of the matter, to prevent jeopardising the probe.