PETALING JAYA, April 11 — The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) continues to promote more inclusive urban development by giving children the opportunity to express their views.
Petaling Jaya Mayor Dato' Mohamad Zahri Samingon said their recognition as a Child-Friendly City in 2023 reflects the commitment to ensuring that children’s needs and perspectives are taken into account.
“MBPJ actively engages children through various platforms, including engagement sessions under the Safer Route to School Programme, as well as the establishment of the Children’s Council, which is now in its fourth grouping.
“We provide space for children to voice their opinions and be involved in the planning and decision-making process, in line with efforts to create an inclusive environment that is friendly to all segments of society,” he said.
Zahri was speaking during the session to share updates on the implementation of the Petaling Jaya Child-Friendly City Action Plan 2030 at his office in Menara MBPJ recently.
He added that the council also provides training workshops to empower children through exposure to administration, finance, and planning, while building confidence and a sense of responsibility.
“The Children’s Council members also serve as spokespersons for MBPJ in their respective schools, thereby encouraging active participation among peers in voicing ideas and opinions.
“We believe that children’s involvement not only helps shape a better city but also nurtures a more competitive, confident, and responsible generation,” Zahri said.
He noted that several urban projects have been implemented based on children’s ideas, including the construction of a bus stop at SMK Assunta, a Toy Library in B40 communities, and improvements to child-friendly spaces at Restoran Meng Yang Two.
MBPJ has also received international recognition after being invited by Miyoshi Mayor Isao Hayashi in Japan in November 2024 to share the city's experience, and later received a letter of appreciation following Petaling Jaya's nomination as a Child-Friendly City by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
MBPJ is also the only local authority in Malaysia to have received UNICEF recognition as a Child-Friendly City in September 2023, following four years of continuous efforts.
