KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Child sexual crime cases are not protected under the Official Secrets Act, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
However, she said the media may not report about such cases as Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 prohibits the identification of the child victims.
“I cannot answer this as it is not within my jurisdiction but I will inform other relevant ministries. (However), under the courts, no such case has been protected under OSA except for those that fall under Section 15 of the Child’s Act,” Azalina told the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a question from DAP’s Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto who asked if there are any child sexual crimes involving influential figures and if these were protected under the OSA.
Azalina also said that the Special Court for Child Sexual Crimes would be set up in several states beginning with Sarawak, Johor and Selangor.
Since the court was formed on June 22, the Pengerang MP said a total of 293 cases been filed and 84 per cent or 248 cases were cleared in the first three months.
