Malaysia Pulse delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
Malaysia's Datuk Yasmeen Muhamad Shariff has been re-elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for 2027–2031, securing 136 votes at the New York headquarters this week.
Malaysia's Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has unveiled mandatory age-verification requirements for social media platforms under the Child Protection Code, which took effect on June 1. The policy aims to protect children by restricting account creation to users aged 16 and above.
Malaysia is expanding its legal reach to prosecute child sexual offences committed overseas. The amended Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 will apply to cases involving Malaysian citizens, permanent residents, or child victims with ties to the country.
A Kuala Lumpur man faces arrest after five years of alleged sexual abuse against his teenage daughter came to light when she became pregnant. The case highlights critical gaps in child protection awareness.
India's Home Ministry has submitted a report documenting widespread use of Telegram for sharing child sexual abuse material and perpetrating financial scams, with over 688,000 fraud complaints since 2023 causing estimated $750 million in losses.
Authorities in Setiu have arrested a man on suspicion of sexually abusing his 15-year-old biological daughter. The investigation is proceeding as police work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations.
A 67-year-old pensioner in Muar has been sentenced to 33 years imprisonment and 14 strokes of the cane after admitting to raping and sexually assaulting his two granddaughters across multiple offences.
An appellate court has ruled that a 13-year-old girl, the sole survivor of a catastrophic car crash, is entitled to full compensation for her lifelong care needs, notwithstanding her father's substantial responsibility for the accident.
A Singapore court has sentenced a 20-year-old man to at least one year of reformative training after he admitted to raping two girls aged 13 and 14, and possessing intimate photos of his teenage cousin. The offender met his victims on an online chat platform.
The United Arab Emirates has mandated a minimum age of 15 for social media use, joining Australia, Britain, and others in restricting teen access. Platforms have 12 months to enforce the ban or face blocking.
A US federal appeals court has upheld Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act, allowing the state to require social media platforms to obtain parental consent before children under 16 can access their services.
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Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul stressed that legislation protecting children must adapt to new challenges. He emphasized that safeguarding children requires coordinated efforts across government, civil society and families.
Malaysia's government has begun enforcing age-verification requirements for social media accounts effective immediately, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil warning platforms they must respect local laws or face consequences.
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The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association supports age verification for social media users under the Online Safety Act 2025 but emphasises the need for simultaneous digital education and parental guidance to ensure safe online practices.
France's government will present a child protection bill requiring systematic background checks for those working with children, responding to a widening abuse scandal involving over 100 allegations across dozens of schools.
Cambodian authorities rescued 35 victims from two Phnom Penh bars suspected of human trafficking. The raids on May 22 targeted establishments in the riverside entertainment district, with one manager detained for legal proceedings.
Wanita MCA has called on government agencies to explain their response to misconduct allegations involving a teacher and primary school pupil in Pasir Gudang, Johor, citing concerns over transparency and victim protection.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission will enforce two new regulatory codes from June 1 to combat harmful online content and strengthen child protection on digital platforms.
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has demanded urgent action against a 42-year-old female teacher accused of sexual grooming involving a minor. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stressed the case requires swift intervention from all relevant authorities.
The Ampang Sessions Court has handed down an 11-year prison sentence and five strokes of the cane to a caregiver who abused two young residents at a children's welfare home in Kuala Lumpur.
A Singapore court has imposed a 14-year prison sentence on a 32-year-old man convicted of systematically abusing his baby nephew over three months. The judge described the offender's actions as exceptionally cruel and sadistic, noting his recording of the abuse was particularly reprehensible.