A coordinated operation involving the Malaysian police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) resulted in the arrest of 13 men across six states on suspicion of possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The arrests occurred amidst heightened government scrutiny of social media platforms, with a new licensing regime set to take effect on January 1st.
Codenamed “Ops Pedo Bersepadu,” the raids, conducted on Monday, December 23rd, targeted 18 locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, and Terengganu.
Led by the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, the operation involved a multi-divisional police force, including units specializing in sexual crimes, forensics, and technical assistance.
The raids yielded significant results, with authorities seizing approximately 40,000 pieces of CSAM and various electronic devices from the suspects, including computers, laptops, mobile phones, and storage drives.
The 13 suspects, ranging in age from 20 to 74, were detained and face charges under both the Sexual Crimes Against Children Act 2017 and the Penal Code for possession of child pornography and other obscene materials. They are now face criminal charges for possession of child pornography and obscene material, carrying potential jail time and fines.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by Malaysian authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, a serious crime with devastating consequences for children.
The upcoming social media licensing requirement aims to curb online scams, gambling, and child exploitation. While the government views this as a crucial step to protect Malaysians, social media companies have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their operations and freedom of expression.
