How will Malaysian citizens abroad be held accountable under Act 792?

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Malaysian Citizens Abroad May Face Accountability Under Amended Sexual Offences Against Children Act

Malaysian citizens abroad can be held accountable under Act 792 if they commit sexual offences against children, following proposed amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. The Bill, tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, aims to extend the Act's jurisdiction to cover offences committed outside Malaysia under specific circumstances. These amendments are slated for a second reading during the current parliamentary session.
Extension of Extra-Territorial Application

The proposed amendments to Section 3 of Act 792 are designed to broaden its reach to include offences committed beyond Malaysia's borders. This extension is contingent on the involvement of a child who is a Malaysian citizen or a permanent resident, or when the perpetrator is a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident. The Bill specifically seeks to allow for the prosecution of sexual offences against children that occur overseas if the victim is a Malaysian citizen, permanent resident, or habitual resident in Malaysia, or if the offender is a Malaysian citizen, permanent resident, or has their habitual residence in Malaysia.
Scope of Offences Covered

The Bill's text indicates that the expanded extra-territorial application will cover offences listed in the Schedule of the Act. This means that sexual acts against children, as defined within the Act, committed by individuals with ties to Malaysia, even when occurring outside the country, will fall under its purview. This includes situations where a Malaysian citizen or permanent resident commits such an offence abroad, or when a person, regardless of nationality, commits an offence against a child who holds Malaysian citizenship, permanent residency, or is a habitual resident in Malaysia.
Legislative Process and Timeline

The Sexual Offences against Children (Amendment) Bill 2026 has commenced its legislative journey with a first reading in the Dewan Rakyat. The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, presented the Bill. It is scheduled to be presented for its second reading during the ongoing parliamentary sitting, indicating the government's intent to expedite its consideration and potential enactment.

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How will Malaysian citizens abroad be held accountable under Act 792?

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