KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities are on high alert following the discovery of several social media groups that appear to be promoting the sexual grooming of children.
These groups, which have thousands of members, often contained sexually overt postings with pictures of children or pre-teens.
Checks by the New Straits Times found some of these groups have been operating for years, with one even dating back to 2014.
One such active group that the NST sighted, which was dedicated to primary schoolchildren, was created in May 2014 and had around 4,600 members.
Its profile data showed that it had welcomed almost 80 new members over the past week.
The group's privacy setting was even open for public viewing, meaning its postings were set for all to see.
Some of them contained a series of lewd and suggestive comments.
Most of the postings involved pictures or videos of minors, usually girls. While the images were non-pornographic, the comments often praised how "pretty" the children were.
Some members even shared their phone numbers to invite minors for video calls.
A post by a member on Friday called for people to share raunchy or steamy stories.
Also sighted was an anonymous post dated Oct 6, calling for girls interested to become "foster sisters" (kakak angkat) to contact a number listed in the post.
The anonymous member also stated that he only wanted girls to respond.
Another post on Oct 12 included a link to a Telegram group, inviting "open-minded" children to join.
Another commenter was also sighted asking if any girls liked "naughty boys".
One posts contained exchanges between members and a user who claimed to be a schoolgirl, asking questions on her age and where she lived.
Screenshots of these postings had since been forwarded to the police for further action.
The presence of these groups came to light after a user on X recently shared a link to a Facebook group, which was featuring pictures of schoolgirls in baju kurung uniforms.
The private group, which had more than 6,100 members, was set up three years ago.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had since said it was taking appropriate action. It is understood that the group had since disappeared from Facebook.
Meanwhile, federal police had opened investigations into the alleged online child-grooming activities.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the Criminal Investigation Department's (D11) Sexual, Women and Children Investigation Division had launched an investigation into the group.
"The Malaysian Internet Crime Against Children (MICAC) Unit under D11 received information from the MCMC at 8pm on Friday (Oct 25) over a complaint made on X.
"MICAC immediately began initiating the process of gathering intelligence on the group," he said on Saturday.
He said they had channelled information on several suspects to the MCMC for initial profiling.
"Investigations are ongoing to uncover solid evidence involving elements of sexual crimes against children.
"D11 and MCMC are currently conducting further investigations and intelligence gathering to this effect," he said
Razarudin said while police were investigating, parents must also play their part in monitoring their children's activities, especially when they use computers and smart phones.
"Parents must play a proactive role to ensure that their children keep away from potentially bad situations stemming from online activities.
"If you notice that your child has been talking to questionable individuals online, immediately contact the police or go to the nearest police station and lodge a report," he said.