Syariah and civil legislation in Malaysia on child testimony in sexual offences
List of Authors
  • Asmida Ahmad , Mohd. Nasran Mohamad

Keyword
  • testimony, child, legislation

Abstract
  • Over the years there has been many cases on sexual offences involving a child as a perpetrator or victim or a witness; and it has been a growing concern each time when they were brought to court to give evidence and testify. Among the common issue is that when the child is called to give an evidence or testify in court, the child is presumed not to be a good or reliable because they find it difficult after a lapse of time to distinguish between the result of observation and the result of imagination. The objective of this article is to examine provisions of law related to child testimony and evidence in courts who are involved in sexual offence cases. In order to seek this position, a method employed would be looking on the laws relating to evidence given by a child; and the procedures applicable in Malaysia in three existing courts; which are Syariah Court, Courts for Children and Courts for Sexual Offences Against Children which is to explore relevant issues on its admissibility for a possible and further review and reform. The outcome from this article will ascertain whether the current laws are adequate to protect the rights of child during criminal proceeding.

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