GEORGE TOWN: The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is ready to provide counselling to female students affected by the alleged use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate images of more than 300 schoolgirls into sexually explicit pictures.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry had yet to establish any formal cooperation in relation to the case but was prepared to assist the victims and their families.
"We are ready to cooperate and provide counselling if necessary.
"However, we do not know who the victims are, so it is difficult for us to reach out to them directly," she told reporters after launching the national-level PINK CaRe Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2026 at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre here on Wednesday (Oct 21).
Nancy said the ministry would assess the need for further cooperation to support those affected.
She encouraged the victims and their families to come forward if they required counselling, as identifying those involved could be difficult.
"We want the families to know that if they need counselling from our ministry, we have several departments and agencies that can help.
"We have qualified counsellors who are ready to provide assistance," she said.
Nancy said counselling services were available through agencies under the ministry, including the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Social Welfare Department and National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
The case came to light after images of female students, allegedly manipulated using AI to resemble nude photographs, were reportedly found on a male student's mobile phone.
Negri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad was previously reported as saying that police received five reports between Aug 20 and 23 involving victims aged between 14 and 17.
A Form Five student suspected of involvement in the case had been suspended from school from Aug 24 to 28.
The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 292 of the Penal Code.
