Children’s welfare department to be established

KUCHING: A state government department to specifically handle the welfare of children in a comprehensive and professional manner will be established.

This move follows the establishment of a similar department by the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development at the federal level in September last year.

Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah stated that the department would replace the Early Childhood Development Division under the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

“The division remains in its current place for now, and I believe that planning will be carried out in every state, including Sarawak.

Fatimah delivers her speech. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

Fatimah (left) mingles with some of participants. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“However, it is still under the Children’s Division until the federal government implements it here,” she said.

She told reporters this after delivering her speech during the Pandu Puteri Conference and 59th Annual General Meeting at local hotel here today.

The conference, running from June 27 to 29, will be officiated by Raja Permaisuri Agong, Raja Zarith Sofiah, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on June 28 and will be attended by 300 association members from across Malaysia.

Further elaborating, Fatimah said that the establishment of the department is part of efforts to enhance roles and operations, particularly in addressing the increasingly critical issue of child neglect.

“Once established, it will still fall under our ministry’s responsibility,” she added.

The Child Development Department was officially established on September 1, 2023, replacing the Children’s Division under JKM.

Fatimah (seated centre) and others poses for photograph. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

According to Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, this department is the best solution for promptly addressing the escalating issues of child neglect and abuse.

The establishment of this department was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 2023 Budget presentation, aiming to provide more comprehensive support services for children.

“This department is believed to be capable of delivering quality services to the public, particularly children, based on five main pillars: prevention, development, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society,” said Nancy in a statement last year.

Additionally, Nancy noted that the department had approved 169 contract positions across various service schemes and grades for this year to ensure efficient and professional services for children’s welfare.

Efforts to mobilise community initiatives under the Child Act 2001, such as the Child Protection Teams and the Child Welfare Teams along with assistant protectors, will also be enhanced in all 105 districts.

However, the department’s operations will be implemented in phases. Initially, it will be under the supervision of JKM from 2023 until 2025.

The department will then become a separate entity under the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development starting 2026.