KUALA LUMPUR: The sentencing of paedophile Richard Huckle in Britain is “justice done” and it is time for Malaysia to strengthen its own child protection laws, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The MCA president, who is the Transport Minister, said unlike Britain, Malaysia did not have adequate provisions to deal with cases of child sexual abuse and child pornography.
He called for amendments to the Child Act 2001 so that Malaysia could start bringing child abusers to book in local courthouses.
“I would say at least there is justice and people can see that action has been taken. I think that for Malaysia, 25 years is quite long,” he said on Huckle’s sentencing.
Last week, Liow called for Huckle to stand trial in Malaysian courts for criminal acts against children.
He said the police and Attorney-General’s Chambers should bring Huckle to Malaysia to face trial and facilitate police reports against him.
“We have to make sure these cases will never happen again,” he said yesterday.
The British High Commission here said Britain took paedophilia and offences against children extremely seriously.
“Where British nationals commit such offences, anywhere in the world, we will work to bring offenders to justice and ensure victims get the right protection and treatment.
“Our engagement with the Malaysian authorities on Richard Huckle’s case, since 2014, reflects that. Criminals know no borders.
“We will therefore continue to work for greater international co-operation in the areas of crime intelligence and child protection policies, including with the Malaysia authorities,” a High Commission spokesman said in a statement after Huckle’s sentencing yesterday.
Huckle, 30, pleaded guilty to 71 counts of child sex offences, including rape of children as young as six months old.
Most of his crimes were committed during his stay in Malaysia between 2006 and 2014. He was arrested in Britain in December 2014.
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