KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A Facebook group allegedly dedicated to sharing inappropriate photos of schoolchildren has triggered nationwide outrage in Malaysia.
The group, reportedly named Budak2 Sekolah Rendah, had amassed over 12,000 members before vanishing from public view.
Netizens, including celebrities and influencers, are now demanding accountability and swift action from authorities.
The existence of the group was first brought to widespread attention by Malaysian singer Caprice and Instagram influencer Mek Yun.
Caprice posted a series of Instagram Stories revealing screenshots of the Facebook page, calling it a haven for disturbing and sexually suggestive comments by adult men.
He alleged that the group had been active since at least 2014 and was managed by a man and a woman.
In one post, Caprice issued a warning to the administrators: “Admin, surrender yourself at the police station within 48 hours. If you do, I won’t expose the faces of the group members, including the admin. Don’t think we can’t trace you.”
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Content was public and unfiltered
What shocked many was the group’s open access status—its settings were public, allowing any Facebook user to view and engage with the content.
Caprice described the nature of the posts as not only indecent but dangerously accessible to predators.
He confirmed lodging a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and tagging authorities such as the Royal Malaysia Police and Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil in his efforts to trigger an investigation.
“I’ve reported it to @skmm_mcmc @fahmifadzil. God willing they will act quickly,” he shared.
Victims call for community action
Influencer Mek Yun, who found her old school photographs circulating in the group, joined Caprice in calling for urgent legal action.
She issued a passionate plea on her Instagram, asking her followers to report the group and to tag relevant authorities.
“Don’t give them any chance at all to do what they want. Because this should NEVER be normalised.”
She further stressed society’s collective responsibility to protect children: “Who else is going to protect those kids and our children if not us?”
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Community and public response intensify
The response from the public has been swift and vocal. Comments flooded the social media pages of both Caprice and Mek Yun, expressing disgust, solidarity and a collective demand for justice.
Many social media users praised the two public figures for exposing the issue and urged government bodies to act decisively.
Among those echoing the sentiment was former teacher Mohd Fadli Salleh, who urged the MCMC to investigate the group and ensure the administrators are prosecuted.
Concerns raised in parenting and education circles
Discussions in local parenting forums and education-themed Facebook groups have sparked deeper concern.
One group, Malaysia Education Info, saw parents advising each other to be cautious about sharing children’s photos online.
While the group in question appears to have been taken down, many worry that similar online communities may still exist.
A user in the group warned: “Parents, do monitor and don’t simply post pictures of your children online. Share among trusted family and friends only.”
Legal experts highlight applicable laws
Legal experts have pointed to the Children Act 2001 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Section 211) as applicable in this case.
Under these laws, recording and distributing images of minors without consent constitutes a legal offence.
Section 211 in particular prohibits any party from sharing indecent, obscene, false, threatening or offensive content with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass.
Authorities are now being urged to prosecute under these laws to set a strong precedent against such online activities.
Top CID official calls for US-style legislation to curb digital exploitation of minors in Malaysia
On 9 June, Bukit Aman CID director Shuhaily Mohd Zain urged Malaysia to consider enacting laws similar to the United States’ “Take it Down” Act.
He emphasised the urgent need for clearer legal boundaries to protect youths from online sexual exploitation.
The US law, enacted in May 2025, criminalises the sharing of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and mandates removal within 48 hours.
Shuhaily stressed that moral accountability must extend to digital platforms, with no tolerance for predatory behaviour.
He believed adopting similar measures would enhance enforcement capabilities and safeguard vulnerable groups in Malaysia.
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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