Call for Govt to set up sex offender registry

The government was told on Wednesday to consider setting up a sex offender registry to address the increase in child abuse.

Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Bukit Bendera) said by having the registry, it would enable the government to monitor the movement of the offenders.

He said the existing registry was inadequate as it did not have the list of pedophilia.

Currently, he said the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969 only covered offences for rape, sex with animals and unnatural sex.

He also said the Child Act 2002 should be amended to prohibit child offenders from being close to places like schools, care centres and playground.

"We also need a law to address online grooming, of adults befriending children through the Internet with the intention of taking advantage of the children sexually," he added.