MBKS recognised as Candidate City for Unicef Child-Friendly Cities Initiative

KUCHING (Dec 5): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has been officially recognised as a Candidate City under Unicef Malaysia’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), marking a key milestone in efforts to create a safer, more inclusive urban environment for children.

The recognition ceremony, held at the MBKS Lobby on Thursday, was attended by Deputy Premier and State Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; State Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; and Unicef Representative to Malaysia Robert Gass.

Dr Sim said the drive towards a child-friendly city must be supported by meaningful action, including the active participation of children in decision-making.

“When this initiative was introduced more than two years ago, some questioned why we needed to hear children’s voices.

“But their voices are crucial — because the issues affecting them today are real and urgent,” he said.

Dr Sim cited cyberbullying as one of the most pressing threats to children, alongside growing concerns such as malnutrition.

“These are not small issues; they are among the biggest challenges faced by children today,” he stressed.

Dr Sim also commended MBKS and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) for developing the Child-Friendly City Plan 2026–2029, describing it as a medium-term roadmap for Kuching’s development rather than a political document.

Meanwhile, MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the Candidate City recognition is both an honour and a challenge that the council is committed to fulfilling.

“In 2022, MBKS took a bold step forward.

“We became the first Local Council in Sarawak and in Borneo ― and the second in Malaysia ― to join this global movement.

“Today, we renew that commitment with even more energy.

“If we were the first to step forward, then let us also be the first to finish strong as a fully designated Child Friendly City,” he said.

Wee highlighted several achievements to date, including the establishment of Sarawak’s first Child Council in Aug 2024.

“It is not symbolic. It is a real platform where young people voice their ideas and shape the direction of their city,” he said.

Unicef Representative Robert Gass commended Kuching South’s leadership, noting it was the first city in Sarawak to formally sign on to the CFCI.

“In January next year, the Government of Malaysia will present its progress on children’s rights to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva.

“I am confident that Kuching South will be among the examples we can proudly highlight. Your safe parks, pathways, Child Council and sustained commitment show that Malaysia is delivering real change for its children,” he added.