SHAH ALAM, Nov 20 — Children involved in consensual sexual relationships must be rehabilitated, not just punished, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said these kids need opportunities for self-improvement without being burdened by stigma or long-term trauma.
“Personally, I think underage children involved in consensual sexual relationships should be protected, guided and rehabilitated, not punished.
“This is because kids’ maturity is not like adults’, which makes them unable to assess the long-term effect of an action,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Nancy was answering a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) about the ministry’s stance on punishing underage girls involved in sex crimes.
She said her ministry’s focus is on counselling, education, and structured support to ensure children’s future well-being.
Nancy stressed that this issue cannot merely be handled by law; it needs community awareness, strong family institutions, and community involvement in forming children’s identities.
