‘Child sex offender checks not mandatory yet’

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is looking into the legal implications of mandatory Child Sex Offenders Registry checks for childcare centres and schools.

“To make things mandatory, we must have legislation. If we wait for that, it will take time.

“In the meantime, since we have the registry, we want to roll it out first to prevent children from being violated,” said Deputy Women, Family and Community Development minister Hannah Yeoh.

When asked which specific law may be amended, she said they will look into all possibilities and discuss the idea with various partners, especially the police.

Yeoh said the public responded positively towards the registry which was rolled out on April 1.

“The response on social media and feedback on the ground – everyone is positive and is happy that they now have this facility.

“We want to inform parents that they have access to such a facility,” she said at the World Autism Awareness Day at Sunway Putra Mall yesterday.

But she cautioned that many child sex offenders were first-timers.

“Even if no records show up on the registry, it is still not safe.

“You still have to monitor the child at all times,” she said.

She added that she is still waiting for her ministry to collate statistics on the usage of the registry.

Members of the public can visit any state Welfare Department (JKM) office and check if a potential babysitter has a prior record for child sexual offences.

Up to Feb 28, more than 3,000 names were listed on the registry.

To make a check, one can submit the MyKad number of the person being probed and JKM will make a verification free of charge.

A form must also be filled to state the individual’s relationship with the person involved, as only parents and those working with children can request to use the facility.