The government has introduced stringent legal measures aimed at preventing children from being drawn into criminal environments, marking a significant shift in national policy, according to Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan. He confirmed that recent legislative amendments now classify such exposure as a prosecutable offence, warning that offenders will face arrest and legal action.
Speaking at the 'Ahaa Forum', Minister Ihusaan revealed that approximately 400 children currently live in criminal environments, with another 1,000 at risk of entering them. Without decisive intervention, he cautioned, many could end up incarcerated or involved in serious crimes.
To counter these risks, the government is developing "Hope Island", a dedicated rehabilitation facility designed to reintegrate affected minors into society. The facility, Minister Ihusaan stated, will provide structured programmes aimed at guiding vulnerable children toward stability and personal growth.
In the interim, various intervention strategies are already underway. Authorities have launched specialised programmes targeting children entrenched in criminal environments, including psycho-social initiatives designed to offer essential support. At the same time, he said, efforts are focused on training personnel equipped to deliver tailored psychological treatments.
Ensuring long-term success, Minister Ihusaan elaborated, requires tackling deeper societal factors that contribute to juvenile crime. Housing shortages, he noted, leave many families in precarious living conditions, increasing children's exposure to crime. Another pressing concern, he noted, is the misuse of legal protections originally intended to safeguard minors, an issue the government seeks to address.
Previously, exposing children to criminal settings was not recognised as a criminal act. Under the new legal framework, the minister noted that authorities are empowered to take decisive action. Those found facilitating such exposure, Ihusaan asserted, will face arrest, prosecution, and full legal penalties.
In a parallel policy adjustment, the government has lowered the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years for criminal cases, a move Minister Ihusaan described as pivotal in efforts to steer children away from crime and toward rehabilitation.