KUCHING, April 18 — The Sarawak Special Court on Sexual Crimes Against Children has set a target to dispose of cases within six months after they are registered with the court.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the factor on urgency was crucial to safeguard the victims’ welfare and interests.

She said if the cases were not treated as urgent, it would not only affect the quality of the cases, but also the mental health of the victims.

"Too long a proceeding will also affect the case because the victims may forget or feel embarrass and do not want to cooperate by telling the incident,” she said when opening the court at the Kuching Courts Complex here today.

Also present were Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Sarawak Minister of Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Child Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

Rohani said a proceeding that was quick and efficient could shorten the period of the children’s suffering, hence allowing them to be given the appropriate intervention to enable them to lead a normal life.

"The setting up of this special court also takes into account the environment which is friendly and suitable for children,” she added.

Since 2017 until last April 15, a total of 119 cases involving sexual crimes against children were registered in Sarawak, of which 43 cases had been disposed of. — Bernama