Hong Kong authorities recorded 40 online sexual grooming cases targeting minors in the first four months of this year, the city’s security chief has said, as the government mulls a legal revamp.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Wednesday that police logged 100 such cases in 2025, while a total of 2,156 child sexual abuse cases were recorded over the past three years.

Since last year, the police force has begun tallying figures related to online child sexual grooming, the minister said in a written reply to enquiries by lawmaker Elizabeth Quat.

Online child sexual grooming refers to cases whereby adults befriend children through the internet, typically via social media, online games, or messaging applications, to sexually abuse them.

The government also aims to propose legislative amendments to the city’s sex offence laws this year, Tang said.

“The exercise aims to review and improve the laws on sexual offences in Hong Kong in a comprehensive manner, which includes enhancing the legal protection to children,” Tang said, without elaborating further.

The proposals will be based on two reports published by the Law Reform Commission in 2019 and 2022, which outlined a raft of recommendations to improve the city’s sexual offence laws, he said.

Authorities plan to consult lawmakers and the public on the proposals in the second half of this year and hope to complete the legislative amendments by the end of June next year, when the term of the current administration concludes, he added.

A new set of recommendations for minors regarding the proper use of electronic devices and social media is expected to be ready this year, Tang said.

The Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen and Social Media Use for Children and Adolescents, established in October, is reviewing scientific evidence and overseas experience and engaging with experts on the matter.

The updated health recommendations are expected to be released this year, he added.

Tang vowed that Hong Kong police would continue to combat crimes relating to online child sexual abuse material through cooperation with other jurisdictions.

Last month, the force arrested nine men in a joint operation with law enforcement in six other jurisdictions targeting online child sexual abuse material.

At a press conference last month, police psychologist Michael Fung warned of the pervasiveness of online sexual grooming of minors, citing a survey conducted by the force and two universities in the city.

The survey said 15 per cent of respondents admitted to having consumed child sexual abuse material on the internet, Fung said, but added the figure represented only “the tip of the iceberg.”

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has decided to classify the investigation paper involving businessman Tei Jiann Cheing, better known as Albert Tei, and his complaint against Tan Sri Azam Baki as No Further Action (NFA).

In a media statement today, the AGC said it had reviewed the investigation paper submitted by the Royal Malaysia Police over Tei’s complaint against Azam for an alleged offence under Section 506 of the Penal Code.

“The comprehensive review of the investigation paper found that the elements of a criminal offence under Section 506 of the Penal Code could not be proven,” it said.

“Accordingly, the investigation paper has been decided to be classified as NFA,” it added.

Section 506 of the Penal Code covers criminal intimidation.

On June 6, Bukit Aman said two investigation papers involving Azam, the former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner, had been referred to the AGC after police completed their investigations.

Azam, the former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner, had previously denied Tei’s allegation.

He has since filed a defamation suit against Tei.

Banks, crypto firms and Kremlin oil reserves also targeted in 21st set of measures since full-scale invasion of Ukraine

The EU hopes to ban Russian soldiers from entering its territory as part of further sanctions against Moscow that also target banks, crypto firms and the Kremlin’s oil revenues.

Announcing the proposals on Tuesday, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We propose for the first time to ban from entry into the European Union anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the beginning of the war. So Europe stays off limit for anyone who has participated in the invasion of Ukraine, as simple as that.”

KUCHING, June 6 — The Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) provides an alternative platform for the public to lodge complaints related to police misconduct, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.

He said that previously, most complaints involving police misconduct were handled by the Royal Malaysia Police’s (PDRM) Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS).

“The IPCC is another channel available to the public. Previously, JIPS was the only avenue, and some people may have felt uncomfortable because they perceived it as the police investigating the police. However, the situation is now different.

“The IPCC operates under the Home Ministry and has its own officers to conduct investigations into complaints received,” he told reporters after attending the launch of the book Integrity: Man of Integrity, Honour and Principle here today.

The IPCC is an independent oversight body established under the Independent Police Conduct Commission Act 2022 (Act 839) and has been operational since July 1, 2023. It aims to enhance integrity within the police force, investigate misconduct involving PDRM personnel and recommend disciplinary action.

The commission handles complaints involving misconduct such as corruption and torture, while also recommending improvements to strengthen public confidence in the police force. — Bernama

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The Secret Ministry of Absurd Missions

Description

A cinematic retro spy comedy set in a fictional 1970s Spain, where secret agents, eccentric officials, nervous informants, improvised disguises, dusty archives, smoky offices, street chases, old cinemas, cheap bars, hotel lobbies, public squares, rooftops, laboratories and forgotten government corridors collide in a world of bureaucratic chaos and absurd investigation. The series blends vintage European cinema aesthetics with dark humor, slapstick energy and noir atmosphere: worn suits, red trousers, old telephones, typewriters, paper files, vending machines, battered cars, market stalls, taverns, secret dossiers and strange scientific experiments create a nostalgic but surreal universe. Each scene feels like a lost frame from an imaginary Spanish espionage film, mixing comedy, mystery, action and social satire with warm light, grainy textures, dramatic shadows and wide cinematic framing. The collection suggests a bizarre intelligence agency trapped between outdated technology, comic incompetence and dangerous missions that always seem to spiral out of control.

These images were generated by Artificial Intelligence.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting on June 12 to discuss the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election.

EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the meeting, which coincides with the 16th Johor state election special meeting, will be held following the dissolution of the 15th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly last Friday.

He said the meeting would be chaired by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun who would discuss important dates for the Negeri Sembilan state election.

“Among them are the date of the writ of election, nomination day, polling day, electoral roll to be used and other preparations to carry out the election,” he said in a statement today.

Khairul Shahril said a press conference would be held immediately after the special meeting.

The 36-seat Negeri Sembilan assembly was officially dissolved last Friday to pave the way for the election. — Bernama 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Two investigation papers involving former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki have been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar, in a statement today, said that investigations into the cases had been completed and the investigation papers were submitted to the AGC on Thursday (June 4).

On Wednesday, Kumar said the police had recorded Azam’s statement under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist in the investigations.

He said the first case involved an investigation into a Bloomberg.com article that allegedly contained defamatory statements regarding the shareholding ownership of Velocity Capital Partner Berhad.

The second case concerned allegations of abuse of power and criminal intimidation involving a businessman, Albert Tei. — Bernama