KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 24 -- The Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) has called for greater awareness of rehabilitation-focused diversion options for boys under 18 charged with statutory rape, while stressing that girls under 16 can never be criminalised in such cases.

In a statement today, the commissioner, operating under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), clarified that while juvenile offenders are held accountable under the Child Act 2001, they are not punished in the same way as adults.

Instead of prison, courts may order rehabilitation in institutions such as Sekolah Tunas Bakti or Henry Gurney Schools.

The OCC described this as a necessary balance between justice and giving young offenders a second chance. ...