KUCHING: Sarawak would welcome any move by the federal government to establish another special court to hear cases involving sexual crimes against children.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the current court, which is located here, is the second in the country, besides one in Putrajaya.
She felt even if the federal government planned to have another one, other states would likely get priority.
“However, the trial of sexual cases in Sarawak continues as usual, using the usual and existing criminal courts. Unaffected.
“But if given the privilege and facility to create more than one for Sarawak, we would be more than willing to accept,” she said to the New Sarawak Tribune.
She said this in response to the Advocates Association of Sarawak’s (AAS) call for the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act (SOACA) to be implemented by all relevant parties.
On Saturday (Jan 14), AAS president Gurvir Singh Sandhu said the lack of children’s access to justice, particularly in rural areas, is a concern, and that it demands the attention of relevant parties.
He emphasised the fact that there is currently only one Kuching-based special court that deals with sexual offences against children.
As such, the idea of implementing the SOACA in rural areas is supported by the Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS).
But, as its president, Manjeet Sidhu emphasised there are very few cases, it may therefore be a waste of funds.
“I do agree and support the idea of AAS to implement SOACA in rural areas, but we must not forget that there are very rare cases and therefore it might be a waste of public money.
“However, my opinion is that a district officer can be properly trained to handle and hear such cases in rural areas.
“But if any complications are faced, one could refer the matters to a properly assembled court equipped to hear such cases,” she said.
On the same note, Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS) pointed out that AAS’s call to implement SOACA is a good move.
SWWS President Angie Garet noted that the implementation of SOACA is what the group is waiting for.
“This (SOACA implementation) will be a great advantage, as only Kuching has a special court that hears cases involving sexual offences against children.
“I hope cases involving sexual offences against children will take less time to proceed,” she said.
Gurvir had during the opening of the Legal Year Sabah and Sarawak on Friday (Jan 13) suggested that all parties involved in child-related matters undergo special training, judges and deputy public prosecutors (DPP) in particular.
