NCJ Number
159666
Date Published
1995
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper profiles Malaysia's juvenile justice system and the various methods it uses to treat and manage juvenile delinquents.
Abstract
Malaysia's most significant juvenile justice legislation is the Juvenile Courts Act of 1947, which paved the way for establishing juvenile courts in towns and districts throughout the country. Under this legislation, juvenile offenders are managed and treated separate from adult arrestees and defendants. A juvenile can only be tried in a juvenile court, which has a different composition and procedures from adult courts. The severity of the offense has no correlation with the treatment plan prescribed by the courts. The emphasis is on what the offender needs in the way of treatment and rehabilitation. One disposition for juveniles is the probation order. Under this order, the juvenile is supervised by a probation officer in the community. Treatment services take into account the juvenile's family and environment. The treatment of juvenile offenders is under the jurisdiction of the Social Welfare Department. Juvenile drug addicts are sent to either the Drug Rehabilitation Center for young persons or to the Advanced Approved School for institutional training. The placement of a juvenile in an institution is the disposition of last resort. The focus of institutional programs is to enable the juvenile to develop coping and living skills, so they can function positively in society. Treatment involves behavioral assessment, care and protection, behavior modification, and education and vocational training. 4 tables