Kuala Lampur, Feb. 10 -- The Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) did not mince words when it said that the recent detention of a 16-year-old girl under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) was a clear violation of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611).

While it welcomed the girl's release on January 23 after nearly 10 days in custody, the OCC stressed that her initial arrest and detention were not in compliance with Malaysian law.

The girl was detained on January 14 in connection with an anti-trafficking investigation.

Section 3 of the Child Act defines "child" as (a) a person under the age of eighteen years; and (b) in relation to criminal proceedings, a person who has attained the age of criminal responsibility as...