MCA: Heavier penalty for child rapists

The government should amend existing laws to provide heavier penalties for child rapists, MCA president Chua Soi Lek said.

He was commenting on a suggestion by Bukit Gelugor member of parliament Karpal Singh for the death penalty to be introduced for the rape of children.

"The suggestion by Karpal Singh is good, but it has to be studied first," Chua (left) told reporters after opening the Penang MCA convention here today.

Karpal had called for the government to amend Section 376 of the Penal Code to provide for the death penalty in cases of rape involving children.

The current punishment for the rape of a child under the age of 12 under Section 376 (2)(e)of the Penal Code is a jail term of up to 30 years and caning.