{
  "id": 17807200,
  "title": "Govt finalising Child Act amendments to set clearer detention periods",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/govt-finalising-child-act-amendments-to-set-clearer-detention-periods",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T14:18:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1569333/govt-finalising-child-act-amendments-set-clearer-detention-periods"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian government is in the process of finalising amendments to the Child Act, aiming to create clearer detention periods for juvenile offenders. Deputy Minister M Kulasegaran announced this during a discussion on the Supply Bill 2027. The proposed amendments target Section 97 of the Child Act, which has been amended after the abolition of mandatory death sentences and life imprisonment in 2023. The changes seek to introduce a more proportionate sentencing framework, preventing children from being imprisoned indefinitely without a specified detention period. Currently, Section 97(2) allows courts to order detention periods at the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the rulers of the relevant states, without specifying a maximum period. The government established a Special Committee in September to review and amend Section 97, taking into consideration principles of justice for children, rehabilitation and reintegration, and international best practices. Cabinet approved four policy decisions on the proposed amendments on September 30, which were presented to the Conference of Rulers on October 14 for consideration. Additionally, the government plans to establish a Law Drafting Unit within Parliament in line with the Parliamentary Services Act 2025. This move aims to strengthen the legislative institution's independence and autonomy, enabling the parliament to develop its own legislative drafting expertise and support members of parliament in preparing Private Members' Bills and proposed amendments.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The government is finalising the draft Children (Amendment) Bill 2026 for submission to the cabinet for consideration, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}