KUALA LUMPUR — Four individuals, including a civil servant, have been arrested, while over 50,000 child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) were successfully seized during Operation Cyber Guardian, conducted from 24 February to 28 March.
According to Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, the integrated operation was carried out in collaboration with authorities from six countries, including Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore.
“In Malaysia, raids were conducted at several locations in Selangor, including Kajang, Ampang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, and Shah Alam, as well as in Northeast Penang. Four arrests were made, including a civil servant,” he said at a press conference today.
Tan Sri Ayob Khan informed that a total of 46 officers and personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) were involved in the operation, with support from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and technical assistance from the PDRM K9 Detection Unit to locate electronic devices.
The four individuals arrested are aged between 26 and 49 years old, working as an accountant, a web designer, and a protégé at a telecommunications company.
“Investigations revealed that they used online peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms to access and distribute CSAM, which were then shared through Telegram groups and stored for personal use,” said Tan Sri Ayob Khan.
He further explained that most of the obscene materials were stored in various devices such as hard drives, mobile phones, computers, laptops, and tablets.
The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001, the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and Section 293 of the Penal Code. Four investigation papers have been opened for offences related to accessing and possessing such obscene materials.
“One suspect was fined RM3,000 by the Petaling Jaya Court after pleading guilty under Section 292 of the Penal Code, while another in Shah Alam was fined RM6,000 for the same offence,” he added.
However, Tan Sri Ayob Khan clarified that both individuals will still be charged under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017. Two other investigation papers are still pending forensic reports.
Meanwhile, he reported that the cross-border operation, which also involved five other countries, resulted in the arrest of 435 individuals involved in the distribution of CSAM during the operation period.
“This operation demonstrates PDRM’s serious commitment to combating child sexual crimes. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with local and international agencies to ensure there is no safe haven for these criminals,” stressed Tan Sri Ayob Khan.