Child protection among key focus areas in RMK13, says minister

Nancy speaks to reporters.
KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 23): Child protection will be a key focus for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development in the upcoming tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), scheduled for next month.
Federal Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that inter-ministerial discussions are already underway, with child protection expected to play a significant role in the ministry's proposed initiatives.
'We need to look at the overall framework when it comes to RMK13. Tomorrow (June 23), we will have a meeting to finalise our proposals, but the discussions will not be limited to matters under our ministry alone,' she said.
She added that the discussions will also include topics such as the wellbeing of senior citizens and community health, including safe food supply practices, in line to promote holistic social welfare.
'All ministries have submitted their proposals. Further discussions will be held before a final decision is made,' Nancy explained.
'Insya-Allah, we will deliberate further before finalising everything tomorrow. What matters most is that the outcome will be for the good of Malaysia, especially for the people,' she said, adding that the Cabinet-level discussions will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Nancy made these remarks after officiating the 'Program Advokasi Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak: Kasih Kanak-Kanak Peringkat Bahagian Samarahan Tahun 2025', an advocacy programme focused on children's protection rights, held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) yesterday.
She highlighted the need to raise public awareness about child protection and to ensure communities understand the existing legal frameworks and support systems available for victims of abuse.
'This is the first time we are organising a programme that merges information on child protection with creative arts,' she said, referring to a powerful dance-drama performance by Unimas students, which depicted the emotional and psychological impact of child abuse.
'Although it's not a legal talk, the actions portrayed reflect the reality faced by children out there.
'The performance really touched me and it showed how students internalised these issues through their artistic interpretation,' she said.
Nancy added that the ministry typically holds advocacy programmes focused on legal knowledge and standard operating procedures, but this time the creative approach was intended to raise awareness in a different and impactful way.
She also reiterated the importance of reporting abuse, noting that many cases remain unknown because they are not reported.
'There are cases that go unreported, which is why I urged in my speech for society to be more aware, and programmes like this help create awareness so people know there are laws and protections in place,' she emphasised.
She reminded the public that children have the right to live as part of universal human rights, and urged Malaysians to speak up.
'If we know of any abuse happening to someone, we must report it. We have our Talian Kasih at 15999,' she said.
She further highlighted the role of multiple agencies, including the police and hospitals, in handling abuse cases, and referenced the availability of One Stop Crisis Centres (OSCC) at hospitals for sexual abuse cases. 13th Malaysia Plan child protection nancy shukri

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