KUALA LUMPUR: Urgent attention must be directed towards addressing mental health issues among minors, given the escalating threat of child crime, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Federal Police Criminal Investigation Department director said that crimes involving minors, particularly those related to sexual addiction, often stemmed from underlying mental health problems.
He stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts between law enforcement and medical experts to prevent these issues from worsening and harming communities.
"We are witnessing increasingly concerning trends in child crime issues. That's why I am seeking expertise from the Health Ministry to collaborate on mental health initiatives at specialist children's hospitals," he stated during the launch of a visit to the Hospital Pakar Kanak-Kanak Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM).
Referring to a recent case involving a five-year-old boy who exhibited troubling behaviour towards his twin sibling after repeated exposure to his mother's sexual activities with her boyfriend, Shuhaily underscored the importance of understanding and addressing the root causes of such incidents.
"He added that access to pornography was now too easy with the availability of various online platforms," he said.
"This case underscores the ease of access to pornography through various online platforms, which exacerbates these issues. We need comprehensive discussions and possibly more stringent laws to tackle these challenges effectively," he added.
During his visit to HUKM in commemoration of the 217th Police Day, Shuhaily emphasised the significance of recognising the dedication of hospital staff who serve the community.
He expressed hope that such visits would foster humility among police personnel and appreciation for their own health and the sacrifices made by others in caring for the sick.