It also recommended the setting up of a Children’s Commission for a focused, comprehensive and efficient approach to handling cases involving children’s rights.

The recommendations were made following a meeting of Parliament’s special select committee on women, children and social development affairs on Sept 15.

The meeting was chaired by Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said and included women, family and community development deputy minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, its former deputy minister Hannah Yeoh and representatives from related government agencies.

In a statement today, the committee said the recommendations were in line with the government’s efforts in guaranteeing children’s right to self-identity, especially when involving their future.

The committee also urged the government to strengthen the Criminal Investigation Department’s D11 division that handles sexual crimes and violence against women and children.

It added that the Sexual Crimes Court Against Children should be extended to every state to ensure significant impact in states and districts to handle such cases.

The committee also recommended the formulation of a Child Commission Act to enable the setting up of the Children’s Commission that would ensure the protection of the rights of children.

“It would be an independent body and not be subject to ministries, departments, and government agencies, and have special jurisdiction to protect children’s rights and welfare in Malaysia,” the committee said.