Children as young as 10 involved in sexual misconduct, teens recruited as drug mules, says Ayob Khan

KUALA LUMPUR – Children as young as 10 have been found involved in sexual misconduct, while some teenagers have become entangled in drug trafficking as drug mules, former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has warned.

Drawing on his experience with the police, Ayob Khan urged parents to monitor their children's mobile phone use and social interactions to protect them from negative influences, particularly online.

He said some cases began when children engaged in video calls with people they had met online before being influenced to expose their private parts.

“There are also teenagers who use Telegram to produce and sell pornographic content, earning between RM20,000 and RM30,000,” he said on Sunday.

He was speaking as a panellist at the sixth edition of the Konvensyen Perdana Ceramah Maulidur Rasul 2026 at the Matrade Hall here.

Commenting further, Ayob Khan reminded young people to understand the legal implications of engaging in sexual activity with minors.

He stressed that legal action could still be taken even when the relationship was claimed to be consensual.

“Some of our students are underage and do not understand this. A boy might be 19, while the girl is below 16.

“Even if both consent, if they are caught, the boy could end up in prison. Many teenagers do not understand this. They think that if both parties consent, everything is fine. Many such cases have resulted in arrests,” he said.

Ayob Khan also said juvenile misconduct was no longer limited to sexual offences, with some teenagers being drawn into drug trafficking as mules in exchange for substantial payments.

“Some of our young people are also being used as drug mules. They are instructed or asked to transport drugs to a particular location.

“It is hard to believe they do not know the items are prohibited. They actually know, but still get involved because they are offered substantial rewards and returns.

“That is why many of our teenagers become involved with drugs, either as drug users or drug couriers. But if they get caught, it is the end for them,” he said.