KUALA LUMPUR (21 FEBRUARY 2026) – The Children’s Commissioners have taken note of a viral social media post shared on 19 February 2026 by a father, concerning the alleged sexual assault of his seven-year-old son by an unknown individual in a mosque toilet while attending congregational prayers.
The Children’s Commissioners are deeply disturbed by this incident and empathise with the pain, anger, and distress experienced by the child and his family. We are informed that the matter is currently under police investigation, and we commend the Royal Malaysia Police for their prompt action. The Children’s Commissioners hope that the investigation will be conducted thoroughly and that the perpetrator will be brought to justice under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
This incident is a stark reminder that no place can be presumed entirely safe for children if adequate supervision and safeguards are not in place, including places of worship. Child sexual offenders may exploit moments when children are left unattended, regardless of location.
As families gather during the festive period of Chinese New Year and the holy month of Ramadan, parents and caregivers are urged to exercise heightened vigilance, especially in crowded public spaces and communal facilities. Children should be accompanied at all times, particularly when using restrooms or moving away from main congregation areas.
The Children’s Commissioners also call upon administrators of places of worship, including mosque committees, to strengthen child-safety measures. This includes ensuring that CCTV systems are installed and fully operational in appropriate areas, and that regular safety reminders are delivered by religious leaders to congregants.
We commend mosques that have introduced supervised childcare arrangements during tarawih prayers and encourage the expansion of such initiatives nationwide as a proactive child-protection measure.
Protecting children is a shared responsibility that requires constant awareness, collective effort, and zero tolerance for abuse.
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Dr Farah Nini Dusuki
Chief Children’s Commissioner
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
21 February 2026
EN 
MS