BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam and the Federal Court of Malaysia convened the second Brunei–Malaysia Judicial Lecture Series on Nov 27, 2025, focusing on the growing challenges surrounding sexual offences against children.
The online session, held under the bilateral Memorandum of Judicial Cooperation signed in March 2024, gathered 40 judges and judicial officers from both countries.
Opening the event, Director of the Policy and Legislation Division at Malaysia’s Office of the Chief Registrar Azniza Mohd Ali said the lecture series continues to strengthen judicial collaboration while addressing urgent issues, including the rise of child exploitation cases driven by technological abuse.
The first presentation, delivered by Sessions Court Judge of Malaysia’s Court for Sexual Crimes Against Children Datin Kunasundary a/p Marimuthu outlined Malaysia’s legislative and institutional framework, including the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007. These measures, she said, play a crucial role in protecting minors and reducing trauma during court proceedings.
Brunei’s Intermediate Court Judge Pengiran Masni Bahar presented the second lecture, discussing judicial approaches in handling child sexual offence trials. She highlighted the legal safeguards in Brunei, the challenges of assessing testimony from children and vulnerable witnesses, and the application of the “unusually convincing” standard when a case rests primarily on a child’s account.
She underscored the importance of judicial sensitivity and flexibility to protect victims while ensuring the accused receives a fair trial.
The lecture series continues to serve as a key platform for cooperation and knowledge-sharing between the two judiciaries. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
