KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) are urging the government to review all laws that subject children to detention without trial, such as the Prevention of Crime Act (Amendment) 2017 (Poca), under which 142 juveniles are being detained.
Suhakam Commissioner Jerald Joseph said that the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child should only be the last resort and only for the shortest appropriate amount of time as being in police custody could have adverse impacts on the child’s future and wellbeing.