Not all caning of children criminal: Women's Ministry

On the other hand, the ministry clarified that what was proposed in the new Act was for a more detailed provision on actions which cause physical or mental injuries to children, including caning.

"The ministry is studying and scrutinising the proposal so that the legislation will cover all acts against children causing physical and emotional injuries deemed as criminal offences which could be punishable with heftier imprisonment or fines.

"Besides, the ministry is also considering alternative punishment such as community service or counseling or parenting courses," said the statement issued by the ministry's corporate communications unit Sunday night.

The ministry also clarified that the action of refining the law was in line with the previous proposal to abolish Section 91(1)(g) of the Child Act 2001 where the court is allowed to conduct caning on children found guilty.

Several media on Sunday reported the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim as saying caning children would be a criminal offence if the new legislation to replace the Child Act 2001 was passed by Parliament.

Following the report, several parties asked for clarification and called the ministry to review the proposal.

In this regard, the ministry also explained that the proposal to abolish caning at the court level was in line with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

"At the same time, Section 91(1)(g) of the Child Act 2001 allows a male child to be sentenced to caning not more than 10 strokes if found guilty of criminal offences. On this, caning in court is different from caning in the house or in school.