Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said the suspects were all men aged between 20 and 74. They were arrested in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor and Terengganu yesterday and placed under remand.

“Checks of the devices used on the premises of all 13 suspects found an estimated 40,000 files containing child sexual abuse and adult pornographic content,” he said in a statement.

Seven desktop computers, one laptop, 11 handphones, and 16 modems and routers were subsequently confiscated.

Thirteen investigation papers have been opened under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) for the possession of child pornography and Section 292 of the Penal Code for the sale, distribution, or public exhibition of obscene material.

Section 10 of Act 792 provides for up to five years in jail, a maximum RM10,000 fine, or both, upon conviction. Section 292 of the Penal Code is punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Razarudin said the raids were held in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

“The objective of this joint operation was to track down child sexual offenders who conducted their activities online, specifically via social media,” he said.

This followed a New Straits Time report detailing how child sexual abuse material could be easily accessed in Malaysia, with content sold for as low as RM1 via social media platforms.