According to Daily Express, Sabah community development and people’s well-being minister James Ratib said the 1,500 cases recorded between 2017 and 2021 were “deeply unsettling”.

“In 2022, Sabah recorded 329 teenage pregnancies, the second-highest number of cases in Malaysia.

“The nature of these acts against vulnerable children is beyond comprehension,” James said in a speech that was read by his special officer at an event.

He said many incidents of sexual crimes against children were not reported to the authorities.

James also voiced concern about the lack of support for children who are victims of sexual crimes and called for more resources to be allocated to tackle the problem.

This includes the establishment of more child interview centres and specialised courts to hear cases of sexual abuse.