Kota Bharu: All parties, including parents and the government, have the responsibility and roles to play to educate children to prevent them from falling victims to social crimes, especially rape and incest cases, said Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud. He emphasized that proactive measures are crucial in addressing the rising number of incidents in the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud highlighted that the state government has consistently played its part through various educational programmes conducted in mosques, suraus, and schools. Despite these efforts, he stressed the critical role of parental supervision in ensuring the success of these initiatives. “We have made every effort within the government’s jurisdiction, but if parents fail to monitor their children, these efforts will be difficult to succeed,” he noted.

Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud also urged individuals to take personal responsibility in safeguarding themselves and their family members. He called on all parties to fulfill their duties diligently to combat these social crimes. His comments came after attending the Kelantan PAS Aidilfitri Open House, where he addressed the alarming issue.

The rise in cases was further underscored by recent media reports indicating an increase in the number of rape and incest cases in Kelantan. Investigations revealed that many of these cases involved consensual sex.

According to Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, there were 252 cases reported in 2024 compared to 206 cases in 2023, marking an increase of 22.3 per cent. The statistics highlight the urgent need for collective action from both the government and parents to curb this trend.