“These amendments represent a significant and progressive step towards ensuring a more just and supportive legal framework for child witnesses in our country, and we're grateful to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, for her leadership in introducing and spearheading the initiative,” the statement read.

In 2023, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) also led amendments to the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 (ECWA), which now allows for special hearings for child witnesses and grants Courts the power to stop improper questioning of children.

“Amending the ECWA Is crucial in enhancing the protection and well-being of child witnesses testifying in court, bringing the law in line with international standards and evidence-based practice, and we're grateful for her commitment to continually strengthen the legislative framework involving child victims and witnesses of crimes,” the group said in their statement.

The advocacy group believes that under the standard adversarial criminal justice system, there is a mismatch between children's capacity and the adult-oriented court environment and procedures.

Read further on The Star’s article attached.