Nancy: More kids in Sabah need protection

Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025
Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025
By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim Text Size: Ahmad (4th from left), striking the gong which marked the opening ceremony of the Child Advocacy Conference 2025 at UMS. Kota Kinabalu: The rising number of children needing protection in Sabah – reaching 1,181 cases in 2024, up from 954 the previous year – underscores the daunting challenges faced by initiatives tackling abuse, statelessness, child labour and neglect. 'These are not just numbers – they represent children whose futures remain uncertain. Many grow up in poverty, without access to schooling, healthcare, or protection,' said Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Nancy Shukri. There was no elaboration whether they were kids of local parents or otherwise. Or victims of child labour or otherwise. Despite Malaysia's legal frameworks and global commitments, she emphasized that children remain vulnerable due to poverty, lack of documentation, and limited access to basic services. Speaking at the Child Advocacy Conference 2025, Nancy highlighted that while many cases have been exposed, a significant number of children continue to suffer in silence due to stigma and a lack of awareness. One such issue is child labour and statelessness. She cited a study by Global Shepherds Berhad (2022) in Keningau, which revealed that many migrant children – mostly girls aged 14-17 – were undocumented or stateless.
Advertisement 'This must change. It takes a village to raise a child – an=d in this case, it encompasses government, civil society, schools, healthcare providers, and community leaders. We must work together to ensure no child is left behind,' she said. The text of her speech was delivered by National Population and Family Development Board director-general Datuk Ahmad Shukor Abdullah. In the past, it was believed that many of the stateless kids in Sabah were deliberately brought in by Filipino parents and left with their guardians here for better future prospects. An action, if true, has implications on that nation's claim to Sabah. Meanwhile, she urged the public to act as the eyes and ears of their communities and swiftly report abuse if they are aware of any cases. 'If you see something, say something. Reporting abuse is not betrayal – it is protection. Every second matters,' she said. In her officiating address, Nancy expanded on the Ministry's Kasih Kanak-Kanak Child Protection Advocacy Programme, which was rolled out in 2024 with the aim of reaching 300 schools and 150,000 children. 'Alhamdulillah, we surpassed that target. As of now, 337 schools, 128,148 children, and 189,479 participants have been involved in this national movement for child protection and safety,' she said. Moving forward, Nancy noted that the Ministry aims to reach another 300 schools this year, with a stronger focus on high-risk communities and active community involvement. 'For the first time, we are also extending the programme to 30 Children's Activity Centres (PAKK) across the country – proving that our advocacy work is expanding, deepening, and becoming more inclusive,' she said. Addressing statelessness, she mentioned that the Ministry is working with JPN (National Registration Department) through mobile birth registration drives and partnering with Unicef, UNHCR, and local NGOs to ensure undocumented children have access to education, healthcare, and protection. She expressed hope that the conference would provide participants with a deeper understanding and awareness of child protection-related issues, and help foster a collective resolve to tackle these social issues. 'For the best interest of children, I hope our gathering this morning will inspire us to continue enhancing our roles – whether as community members, parents, or guardians – in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of every child is preserved and protected,' she said. She also noted that the advocacy programme promotes the use of Talian Kasih 15999 and WhatsApp 0192615999, which serve as lifelines for children facing abuse and neglect. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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