KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia should consider introducing legislation similar to the United States’ newly enacted “Take it Down” Act to combat the growing threat of online sexual exploitation, police officials said.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Shuhaily Mohd Zain emphasised the urgent need for laws that criminalise the publication of non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including digitally altered content like deepfakes.
According to a report by the New Straits Times, Shuhaily said Malaysia required clearer boundaries in law to address the challenges of the digital age.
“This is especially important to protect young people from becoming victims of online sex predators,” he said.
Shuhaily called for moral accountability in both physical and digital environments, arguing that immoral conduct should not be tolerated on any platform.
He added that implementing similar legislation would equip enforcement agencies with the tools needed to respond effectively to such crimes.
The US “Take it Down” Act, which was signed into law in May 2025, criminalises the publication of NCII and mandates that digital platforms remove the content within 48 hours of a valid victim request.
It also requires platforms to make reasonable efforts to eliminate duplicate images.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, who heads the Federal CID’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11), echoed the call for broader legislative measures.
She noted that enforcement should extend beyond the police to include tech companies, telecommunications providers, and other relevant agencies.
“Another aspect that could be looked into is the acceptance of digital evidence without having to go through complex legal processes,” said Siti, particularly in cases involving cross-border offences where mutual legal assistance (MLA) applies.
She added that MLA procedures can be cumbersome and slow, hindering timely intervention.
Siti also stressed the importance of post-case support, particularly in cases involving minors who possess or are addicted to pornographic content.
“Currently, it is not mandatory for parents to send these children for intervention,” she said, warning that failure to do so could lead to long-term behavioural issues and possible future offences.
She pointed out that individuals with a history of such offences could pose a risk to communities, especially if employed in roles involving regular contact with children.
According to Siti, legislation must not only tackle the crime but also offer preventive and rehabilitative mechanisms for affected youths.
“We need legislation that will help us not only curb online sexual exploitation, but also ensure that children who have been involved in such offences receive intervention and are guided back to the right path,” she said.
In 2024, Malaysia recorded over 16,000 reports related to child sexual abuse material
In 2024, Malaysia recorded 16,328 reports related to child sexual abuse material, reflecting a growing concern.
Of these, 15,902 cases were forwarded to law enforcement, with victims primarily aged between seven and 13.
Childline Foundation director Wong Poi Hong noted this trend as part of a broader rise in online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA).
Around four per cent of Malaysian children using the internet have experienced clear instances of OCSEA.
Worryingly, many offenders are individuals known to the victims, including peers, adult acquaintances, or even family members.
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