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Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
‘Review outdated Stamp Act' call
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim Text Size: Dennison criticised the Stamp Act for its rigid, colonial-era framework, arguing that its punitive measures no longer reflect the realities of today's economy. Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government has been urged to initiate a comprehensive review of the outdated Stamp Act 1949, which is believed to disproportionately affect small businesses and rural communities in Sabah. 'There is an urgent need to update this law to ensure it is aligned with modern business practices and provide better support for the growth of small and microenterprises, rather than stifling them with outdated penalties,' said Dennison R. Indang, Supreme Council Member of the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). Dennison's call for reform comes in response to the recent imposition of a new stamp duty on job contracts by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN). In a media statement Monday, he highlighted how this move underscores the pressing need for a law overhaul, noting that small and microenterprises are still burdened by outdated regulations. Dennison criticised the Stamp Act for its rigid, colonial-era framework, arguing that its punitive measures no longer reflect the realities of today's economy. He pointed out that many businesses in Sabah, especially small family-run businesses, operate informally. Advertisement 'In Sabah, many transactions are informal by nature, including family-based rental agreements, small-scale community business contracts, and personal loans,' Dennison said, who noted such informal transactions are now vulnerable to disproportionate enforcement under the Act. He said that businesses in Sabah, particularly those that rely on informal agreements, are facing significant challenges in complying with the Act's complex regulations. 'The Stamp Act remains rooted in outdated structures that impose significant financial and administrative burdens on small enterprises, particularly those that operate informally,' he added. In response to the negative impact of the Act on small businesses, Dennison proposed several key reforms. First, he called for a reduction or exemption of stamp duty on small-value transactions, particularly those under RM10,000, to reduce the burden on microenterprises and low-income groups. Denisson also suggested the introduction of a one-time amnesty for businesses that failed to comply with the Stamp Act due to a lack of information, rather than any intent to evade taxes. 'We need to allow businesses to correct their past mistakes without incurring harsh penalties,' he said, emphasizing that many businesses may have unintentionally failed to comply due to a lack of awareness. Furthermore, Dennison proposed the devolution of stamp duty processing powers to Sabah and Sarawak, allowing local authorities to apply the law in a more context-sensitive and people-friendly manner. 'Local authorities are better equipped to apply this law in a manner that reflects the unique economic and cultural circumstances of Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. To assist businesses in complying with the law, Dennison also called for the development of user-friendly digital platforms that offer clear guidance in both Malay and English. These platforms would ensure that rural communities have access to the information and support needed to navigate the Stamp Act. Lastly, Dennison called for the establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to review the entire scope of the Stamp Act 1949. He suggested that the committee should involve diverse stakeholders, particularly voices from Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that any reforms to the Act reflect the needs of small businesses in these regions. He noted the Act, which was introduced before Malaysia's independence, enforces rigid penalty structures, complex compliance requirements, and little flexibility — disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens who are often penalised not for wilful evasion, but due to a lack of awareness and access. 'We need a tax system that empowers, not punishes, those who are trying their best to comply.' Dennison concluded by stressing the need for tax laws that are modern, fair, and reflective of Malaysia's current economic environment. 'We are no longer living in 1949. Our laws must reflect a modern, fair, and forward-looking Malaysia,' he said. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
