A teacher and a laboratory assistant were among 53 individuals arrested in a nationwide crackdown on activities involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and online child sexual exploitation.
The arrests were made during Op Pedo Bersepadu PDRM-SKMM 3.0, a joint operation carried out simultaneously nationwide from September 14 to 16.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said preliminary checks on devices seized during the operation uncovered 653,193 digital files, including 540,127 CSAM files and 113,066 adult pornography files.
A total of 52 investigation papers have been opened, with investigations conducted based on the facts and evidence in each case under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, Penal Code, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Immigration Act 1959/63.
“As of September 21, 23 of the 52 investigation papers had been brought to court, while the remaining 29 are still under investigation,” Kumar told a press conference at Bukit Aman today.
He said the suspects were involved in activities including accessing, obtaining, downloading, possessing and storing CSAM through various digital platforms and online groups.
Investigations also uncovered more complex activities, including the alleged production and online sale of such material, administration of online groups and transactions involving e-wallets, cryptocurrency and PayPal.
The operation also uncovered the alleged production of CSAM in animated form, which was subsequently sold online.
Kumar said police would continue strengthening efforts to combat child sexual offences, particularly those carried out through digital platforms.
These efforts include intelligence gathering, enforcement, forensic analysis and cooperation with domestic and international agencies.
