KOTA BHARU – A nine-year-old boy has alleged he was sodomised by a senior student at a religious educational institution in Kelantan.
The incident reportedly occurred about two months ago.
The victim, also a student at the centre revealed the incident to his mother, who subsequently filed a police report, prompting an investigation.
Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat stated that a 12-year-old male student has been detained.
He is being investigated under the Child Act 2001 and the Juvenile Courts Act 1947.
"Investigations indicate that the incident happened within the institution’s premises and occurred once.
"This case is taken seriously as it involves sexual abuse between minors of the same gender,” he said at a press conference following the Youth Engagement Programme: Prevent Social Problems, Build the Future at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) on Tuesday.
Yusoff stated that such cases highlight the need to review existing laws, particularly those related to the age of maturity and the reliability of testimonies from underage witnesses.
"We see the necessity to re-examine Section 113 of the Evidence Act 1950.
"Children nowadays mature faster, develop quickly and in many cases, they can provide clear testimony. We urge institutional management to be more proactive, ensuring a safe environment free from risks of such crimes,” he said.