A Malaysian pediatrician practicing in Perth, Australia, has been charged with 33 child sex offences involving at least nine children, following an expanded police investigation that uncovered additional evidence and alleged victims.
Dr. Saw Chia Liang, 41, appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court after Western Australia Police filed 31 additional charges, bringing the total to 33 charges against him following his arrest on May 29, 2026. He remains in custody at Hakea Prison and has not entered a plea.
According to investigators, the allegations relate to incidents that allegedly occurred between November 2022 and May 2026 at several healthcare facilities in Perth, including West Leederville, Wembley, Nedlands, and Midland, where Dr. Saw worked as a consultant developmental pediatrician.
Police said the investigation expanded after officers recovered footage from what investigators allege was a hidden camera installed in a hospital consulting room. Investigators reported that the material led them to identify additional alleged victims, all of whom are children.
Earlier court proceedings reportedly indicated that prosecutors had initially identified eight possible victims, with the investigation later expanding to at least nine alleged child victims.
Authorities have alleged that at least one of the children was a patient under Dr. Saw's care.
Court documents show that Dr. Saw now faces multiple allegations, including
Persistent sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16.
Possession, production, and recording of child exploitation material.
Indecent dealings involving children.
Indecent recordings of children.
Sexual penetration of a child aged between 13 and 16 years.
Attempting to procure a child for sexual activity.
The charges remain allegations, and the criminal proceedings are ongoing.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Australia's health practitioner regulator, suspended Dr. Saw's medical registration, preventing him from practicing medicine while the legal process continues.
Regulators clarified that the interim suspension is a protective measure and should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt.
Such interim actions are intended to protect public safety while legal proceedings are underway and do not determine criminal liability.
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Before his arrest, Dr. Saw practiced as a consultant developmental paediatrician at several locations across Perth. He also worked at multiple St John of God hospitals and served as a clinical lecturer at Curtin University.
The alleged offenses are reported to have taken place at some of the healthcare facilities where he worked.
Dr. Saw was remanded in custody following his latest court appearance and was not required to enter a plea.
His legal counsel is expected to pursue a bail application, with further court proceedings scheduled for June 30, 2026.
The case remains under investigation, and Australian authorities have continued to examine evidence as the prosecution moves forward. As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations against Dr. Saw have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Reference:
1. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). “Immediate Action.” Accessed June 25, 2026. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Notifications/How-we-manage-concerns/Immediate-action
2. ABC News Australia. Perth paediatrician Chia Liang Saw faces court on alleged child sex charges. June 8, 2026.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)