Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the proposed amendment to the law is important, given that online sexual exploitation of children is a cross-border issue.

She said under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, any Malaysian citizen who commits an offence against a child outside the country is considered as having committed the crime within Malaysia.

“This provision allows legal action to be taken against Malaysian citizens committing such offences abroad.

“The government is currently conducting a thorough study to broaden the scope of this legal protection to encompass situations where offences are committed against Malaysian children by any person outside the country,” she said in a statement.

She said the proposed amendment to the law aims to provide better protection to Malaysian child victims, regardless of the geographic location of the perpetrator.

In March last year, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Sexual Offences Against Children (Amendment) Bill 2023, which aims to ensure the law remained in line with technological developments and to better protect children against all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse online.

“One of the main gaps in the law that must be bridged and given priority is the sexual abuse of children online.

“Technological advancements have made access to the internet easier for all, including children,” Azalina told the Dewan Rakyat then.

In the Dewan Negara, 10 senators participated in the debate on the bill, which was passed by a voice vote after it was tabled for its third reading.