KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Select Committee on Women, Children, and Community Development has called on the government to update the national sex education curriculum to include the legal consequences of minors engaging in sexual activity.
The committee's chairman Yeo Bee Yin said that many underage children and their parents remain unaware of the criminal offences under the Penal Code, particularly involving underage sexual activity.
She said the Education Ministry must enhance the Reproductive and Social Health Education (Peers) guidelines to ensure parents and their underage children understand the relevant legal frameworks.
She said that the SSC's recommendations followed visits to child rehabilitation centres.
"Many children or even their parents are still unaware that engaging in sexual activity under the age of 16, even if consensual, is an offence under Malaysian law.
"For instance, when we visit child rehabilitation centres, male offenders are often detained there for having sexual relationships with their girlfriends.
"Both are minors, but only the boys are sent to rehabilitation centres because, under the Penal Code, only males can be charged with rape.
"Due to this aspect of the Penal Code, many are unaware of the law. Hence, it is incredibly important for parents to be informed about this.
"Regardless of whether the minors are in a relationship, sexual activity is not allowed.
"It is crucial that we have an improved syllabus that educates our children," she said during a press conference at the Dewan Rakyat today.
On Nov 20, the Education Ministry launched Peers as part of efforts to address the rising number of unplanned teenage pregnancies.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek reportedly said that the guidelines were timely, given the challenges faced by the country, including issues such as sexual violence against children and young girls.
Peers is designed to deliver direct messages to society, particularly educators, parents, and the broader community, including non-governmental organisations, to raise awareness about reproductive health.