KUALA LUMPUR - Thirteen men were arrested on Monday during "Op Pedo" a joint operation targeting the possession of child and adult pornography, conducted across six states.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has revealed that 18 premises in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, and Terengganu were inspected in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
"Various devices and computer equipment belonging to the suspects were seized, and approximately 40,000 materials involving child sexual exploitation and adult pornography were discovered,” Razarudin said when contacted on Tuesday.
The operation involved 107 personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) Sexual, Women, and Child Investigation Division (D11), Technical Assistance Division (D6), Forensics Division (D10), and MCMC.
According to Razarudin, police detained 13 men aged between 20 and 74 for further investigation. Seven computers, a laptop, 11 mobile phones, seven modems, and nine routers were confiscated as evidence.
"The objective of this joint operation is to track down sexual offenders targeting children, especially those active on social media platforms. It also aims to raise awareness among parents, communities, and platform providers about their responsibility to protect children and ensure their safety,” Razarudin added.
All suspects have been remanded for one to four days starting Tuesday. Investigations are being conducted under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 292 of the Penal Code for possessing obscene materials.
Razarudin stressed the importance of maintaining moral boundaries and practicing safe online behaviour, particularly for teenagers and children.
"We urge the public to report any misuse of networks to the authorities. The police will take strict action against individuals involved in criminal activities. We do not tolerate any form of crime," he said.