Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat’s suggestion that underage girls who have consensual sex should face legal action when their partners are charged with statutory rape is his personal opinion, says law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said.
She said the government remains committed to upholding international norms in cases of rape, particularly those involving minors.
“For now, we adhere to the international standard that ‘statutory rape is statutory rape’.
“I don’t think we will be shifting away from that position,” Bernama reported her as saying in Melaka today.
Yesterday, Yusoff said his proposal is to send a clear warning to teenagers against being involved in sexual crimes.
He said nearly 90% of statutory rape cases reported in the state involve consent by both parties, though the existing laws lean more towards prosecuting only the men.
Azalina said any proposal to improve the law could be channelled to the Criminal Law Reform Committee.
In a separate statement, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said Yusoff’s statement shows a lack of empathy for underage female victims.
“The Kelantan police chief’s proposal shows he has no gender sensitivity and lacks understanding of the laws that protect children.
“If we want to prevent premature sexual relations, focus should be on preventive measures, including strengthening sexual education, increasing teenage awareness of personal rights and protection and improving enforcement against the sexual grooming and exploitation of children, especially in cyber spaces,” she said.
Separately, Azalina said the legal affairs division may hold a townhall session to gather feedback from minors on the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament at the end of this year.
“Perhaps we will do it together with the children’s commissioner. We will invite the children, let them speak and ask for their views because this law is meant for them.
“They may have their own ideas, suggestions or criticisms. Today’s children are smart and very conscious of social media and other issues… maybe they will give us insights we ourselves are not aware of as adults,” she said.
