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Eight teenagers were among 53 individuals arrested in a nationwide operation targeting activities linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM)
According to FMT, Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said the operation, dubbed Ops Pedo, was jointly conducted by the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
A total of 52 raids were conducted at 92 locations, resulting in the arrest of 53 individuals, comprising 51 male and two female suspects.
Among them were a 24-year-old teacher in Pahang and a 44-year-old laboratory assistant in Terengganu.
The eight minors, aged between 13 and 17, included one girl.
Kumar said the eight teenagers were found to have produced and sold animated CSAM online, reported the New Straits Times.
They were reportedly part of online communities with similar interests and sold the material for between RM50 and RM60.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar.
Image via Harian MetroKumar said the teenagers might have learned how to produce CSAM through social media and artificial intelligence (AI)
"This is happening online, including through Telegram. What is worrying is not so much the price, but the trend and where it is heading. This is what we need to take seriously," he said.
Kumar added that transactions involving the material were carried out through various methods, including e-wallets.
He said the minors' parents only became aware of their activities after the arrests, while investigations are ongoing to establish how they were first exposed to such material.
Kumar said police will assign counsellors to assist minors involved in such cases, adding that awareness efforts must be carried out continuously and should not stop after enforcement action.
When asked what punitive action should be be imposed on the teenagers, Kumar said it would be referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) for further instructions and advice after investigations are complete.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am – 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am – 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
8. HEAL
Contact: 15555
