JOHOR BARU: The Kelantan government should treat sexual crimes against children as a serious matter rather than just brushing off the facts, says a PKR youth delegate from the state.
Rantau Panjang PKR division youth chief Mohamad Ezzat Zahrim Mohd Hanuzi said the Kelantan police chief recently revealed that the number of rape cases in the state increased last year from 2023.
“However, a state assemblyman denied the police statement.
“How can you, as an assemblyman from an Islamist party, brush that off? You should be ensuring the safety of children,” he said during the debate portion of the central PKR youth wing congress at a hotel here on Friday (May 23).
He urged the Kelantan government to be more self-aware and make a greater effort to tackle sexual crimes against children and protect the underage.
Ezzat Zahrim also highlighted issues faced by secondary school students stemming from family problems.
Sharing his recent engagement with Form Two and Form Three students at a school in Kelantan, he said the young have been exposed to pornography, premarital sex, ketum and substance abuse.
“I am sure this is not a Kelantan issue but it is happening elsewhere, too. This is a pressing social issue.
“This calls for basic sex education in schools,” he added.
Youth delegate Aljakalil Biou from the Tenom division in Sabah said political stability under the unity government had been beneficial to the state.
“Sabah is known for party hopping, but with the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, there is stability.
“The issue that is important to Sabahans is the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“In just three years, almost all the MA63 matters have been realised, except for a handful –but that is more than what was done before this, and this is because of political stability,” he said in his speech.
Elections for the PKR central leadership council, Angkatan Muda Keadilan (youth) leadership council and Wanita PKR leadership council were conducted from 8am to 5pm Friday, with the results to be announced on Saturday (May 24).
