KUCHING, July 4 — The issue of teenage pregnancy out of wedlock requires serious attention due to its implications for the future of adolescents, family institutions and the well-being of society, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said that based on Health Ministry data, 21,114 unmarried adolescents aged between 10 and 19 were recorded as pregnant at government health facilities between 2019 and 2024.
“In Sarawak, the Sarawak Health Department recorded 1,271 cases in 2024 compared with 1,242 cases in 2025. Although this represents a slight decline, the figure still warrants serious attention.
“Therefore, prevention efforts, education and early intervention must continue to be strengthened with the support of all parties,” she said when officiating at the Sarawak-level National PEKERTI Programme here today.
Nancy said threats facing adolescents today are no longer confined to the physical environment, adding that the digital world has created opportunities for various new forms of risk, including cyberbullying, online scams, sexual exploitation and the increasingly worrying phenomenon of sexual grooming.
“Parents are the first line of defence in protecting their children from various negative influences. I urge all parents to spend time with their children, understand their digital world and monitor their use of technology responsibly.
“Strong family ties will help children make the right choices and prevent them from falling (prey to) negative influences,” Nancy said.
