‘Only a personal opinion’: Saifuddin on proposal to charge female in consensual sex cases
He stressed that the statement does not represent the government’s stance or the official policy of his ministry.
PUTRAJAYA – The proposal that teenage girls involved in consensual sex with men should also face legal action, voiced by Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, is merely a personal opinion.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution stressed that the statement does not represent the government’s stance or the official policy of his ministry.
“That is his view and it remains his personal opinion. It has not reached the point where I need to make any comment,” he said at a press conference after inspecting the operations of the National Registration Department (JPN) here today.
He said that the remark was made based on statistics and circumstances occurring at the state level in Kelantan.
“He gave his view based on the figures in the state. That is his view,” Saifuddin clarified.
The minister emphasised that such opinions do not reflect national consensus, and that the government would only make decisions through proper legal processes.
“If something involves national policy, it must be tabled in Parliament, properly governed, and the relevant acts amended first,” he said.
He was commenting on a lawyer’s proposal that the statutory rape age limit should be lowered to 14 years to be more realistic with the maturity level of today’s teenagers.
Yusoff previously suggested that underage girls also face legal action was based on investigations which found that nearly 90 per cent of statutory rape cases reported in the state involved consensual acts between both parties rather than coercion.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin criticised certain groups for speaking out only in selected cases while remaining silent when police officers themselves became victims of violence.
“When police officers are injured after being pelted with stones, not a single comment is made by these groups. If you want to fight for human rights, you must be consistent,” he said.
He added that human rights must be defended comprehensively, including protecting the security forces who serve on the frontlines.
“We must look at all sides fairly, not just pick and choose certain issues,” he said.
Saifuddin stressed that the government will continue to consider all views, but action can only be taken within the framework of the law.
“We are open to hearing all opinions, but any decision must be based on the law and proper process,” he said.
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