Study its effectiveness before adopting the controversial measure, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore’s consideration of chemical castration for sex offenders has prompted experts in Malaysia to debate whether the controversial measure could be feasible here.
While the penalty warrants careful consideration, experts say its effectiveness, legal implications, and suitability for different categories of offenders must first be thoroughly examined.
Criminologist Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said chemical castration could be considered for high-risk offenders where sexual drive was a significant factor in their behaviour, but it should not be regarded as a “cure” for sexual offending.
He said it should be accompanied by psychological treatment and continued supervision after offenders are released from prison.
“Chemical castration should not be regarded as a straightforward solution, as sexual violence could stem from factors beyond sexual urges,” he said.
He said offenders driven by aggression, domination, or antisocial behaviour could remain dangerous even if their sexual urges were reduced.
“Rape is not always driven by sexual urges. In some offenders, it may be linked to the desire for power and control, aggression, entitlement, impulsiveness, substance abuse, or wider antisocial behaviour.
“So even if sexual drive is reduced, it may not address the factors that led to the violent behaviour in the first place,” he said.
The matter arose following Singapore’s recent indication that it was open to considering chemical castration for sex offenders if there was sufficient evidence that the measure was effective in preventing reoffending.
Former police commissioner and criminologist Datuk Seri A. Thaiveegan said a thorough study of results in countries that had implemented chemical castration should be conducted to assess its effectiveness and drawbacks before Malaysia considered a similar approach.
Thaiveegan said various categories of offenders, including first-time and repeat offenders, violent offenders, and those convicted of raping children, as well as the ages of offenders and victims, should also be studied before such measures were imposed.
On the other hand, senior lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said existing laws are sufficient to deal with sexual offences and that additional measures such as chemical castration are unnecessary.
“Do you think a serial rapist is concerned about the consequences of his actions, let alone being castrated? We see the same situation with drug trafficking, although there is the death sentence.
“So such a measure as castration is totally unnecessary,” he said.
Haniff said addressing sexual offending was an issue that ultimately went back to education and moral values.
“Children as young as primary school pupils should be taught sex education.
“Boys should be educated, both at home and in school, about their responsibility to safeguard the honour of women regardless of whether they are family members or strangers.
“This approach would be more effective in the long term, and the Education Ministry should take the lead in ensuring this education is instilled in schools,” he said.
Chemical castration refers to the use of medication to suppress testosterone levels and reduce sexual drive and arousal.
Unlike surgical castration, it does not involve the removal of the testicles, and its effects can generally be reversed when treatment is stopped.
