Press Statement No. 9-2021_SUHAKAM Expresses its Concerns on the Alleged Use of Dating Website by IPT Students

PRESS STATEMENT

KUALA LUMPUR (17 FEBRUARY 2021)   –   The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) expresses its concerns regarding the recent news reports on the alleged use of certain dating website by students of higher education to obtain financial support in exchange for their companionship.

It was reported that there has been an increase of over 40% in the registration of new users on such dating website seemingly due to financial pressures during COVID-19 pandemic. These dating websites or other similar online dating applications may promote sexual exploitation activities which violate the principle of human rights.

This situation is very worrying and if there is no proper monitoring mechanism by the authorities, it may lead to negative impacts on our younger generation. SUHAKAM is of the view that the younger generation, regardless of their gender should be provided with sufficient assistance and support to allow them to develop their personal potential, be it in their studies or professional life. In this regard, SUHAKAM calls upon the relevant authorities to work together with expert bodies and organisations to study the root causes for the prevalence of such practices, with a view to identifying and implementing measures to effectively address the matter.

SUHAKAM calls for the relevant Ministries such as the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) and the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to conduct regular monitoring of online dating websites and other similar applications. There should be a balance between right to information and internet censorship in controlling what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the website especially when it involves younger generation and children.

SUHAKAM also wishes to remind parents and guardians to always monitor their childrenโ€™s internet activities in order to protect them from accessing sexually-explicit websites that could potentially be detrimental to their safety and well-being.

-END-

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

17 February 2021

Media queries: Contact Mrs. Norashikin Hamzah at 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 or shikin@suhakam.org.my

KENYATAAN MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR (17 FEBRUARI 2021)   –   Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM) menyuarakan kebimbangannya berhubung laporan media baru-baru ini tentang penggunaan laman web pencarian teman tertentu oleh pelajar pusat pengajian tinggi untuk menawarkan diri jadi peneman bagi mendapatkan sokongan kewangan.

Dilaporkan bahawa terdapat peningkatan pendaftaran pengguna laman web tersebut sebanyak 40% berkemungkinan disebabkan oleh tekanan kewangan semasa pandemik COVID-19. Laman web ini atau aplikasi pencarian teman dalam talian yang serupa boleh mempromosi aktiviti eksploitasi seksual yang melanggar prinsip hak asasi manusia.

Keadaan ini amat membimbangkan dan sekiranya tiada mekanisma pemantauan yang sewajarnya oleh pihak berkuasa, ia boleh memberikan kesan buruk kepada generasi muda. SUHAKAM berpandangan bahawa generasi muda, tanpa mengira gender mereka seharusnya diberikan bantuan dan sokongan yang secukupnya bagi membolehkan mereka untuk meningkatkan potensi diri mereka sama ada dalam aspek pelajaran atau kehidupan professional. Dalam perkara ini, SUHAKAM menyeru pihak berkuasa berkenaan untuk bekerjasama dengan pakar dan organisasi berkaitan bagi mengkaji punca mengapa perkara ini berleluasa dan mengenal pasti serta melaksanakan langkah-langkah untuk menangani isu ini dengan efektif.

SUHAKAM menyeru agar Kementerian berkaitan iaitu Kementerian Wanita, Keluarga dan Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia menjalankan pemantauan berkala ke atas laman web pencarian teman sebegini atau aplikasi lain yang serupa. Adalah penting untuk memastikan keseimbangan antara hak untuk mendapatkan maklumat dan tapisan internet dalam mengawal apa yang boleh diakses, diterbitkan atau dilihat dalam laman web terutamanya apabila ia melibatkan generasi muda dan kanak-kanak.

SUHAKAM juga ingin mengingatkan ibu bapa dan penjaga untuk sentiasa memantau aktiviti internet anak-anak bagi melindungi mereka daripada mengakses laman web berunsur lucah yang berpotensi menjejaskan keselamatan dan kesejahteraan diri mereka.

-TAMAT-

Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

17 Februari 2021

Pertanyaan Media: Sila hubungi Pn. Norashikin Hamzah melalui 03-2612 5687 / 019-621 5336 atau shikin@suhakam.org.my

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