Azalina: Special court on sexual crimes against children to start in June

KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Criminal Court handling cases involving sexual crimes against children is expected to be operational in Putrajaya in June.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said this was decided following a discussion with the new Chief Justice, Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif, at the Palace of Justice Friday.

"In principle, the Chief Justice had agreed on the establishment of the Special Criminal Court which is expected to begin in June in Putrajaya.

"Judges and legal practitioners will undergo special training organised by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute to ensure that proceedings and case hearings will proceed smoothly," she said in a statement.

Azalina pointed out that the establishment of the Court showed the commitment of the government in curbing sexual abuses against children and protecting them holistically and at the same time launching case hearings involving children.

On Tuesday (April 4), the Dewan Rakyat passed the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017 which, among others, considered children as competent witnesses for sexual crime cases. - Bernama