According to Bernama, Tengku Maimun said 59 cases of sexual abuse involving children were registered at the Kota Bharu sessions court last year, while there were only 18 involving adults.

“Everyone must be vigilant about this issue to safeguard the rights and welfare of children, who are vulnerable, so that they are given the necessary protection.

“For the courts, cases of sexual crimes involving children will always be given priority through the special court,” she said.

Tengku Maimun added that everyone must do their part in tackling the issue as it could destroy the future of the younger generation.

She also said Kelantan recorded the highest number of drug abuse cases among all states last year, with 3,683 cases handled by the courts.

Of the 3,683, 72 cases were registered at the high court under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while 254 cases were registered at the sessions court and 3,357 were registered at the magistrates’ court.

“Last year, the Kota Bharu court complex registered a total of 13,579 civil and criminal cases. Of these, 6,412 cases were criminal cases, most of which involved drug abuse.”