SHAH ALAM, July 12 — The state government is exploring several new initiatives to strengthen child protection and family support systems following a recent report which revealed that Selangor recorded the highest number of baby-dumping cases nationwide.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the initiatives include enhancing capacity building for frontline officers and community stakeholders involved in child protection, and expanding preventive education programmes targeting adolescents, parents, and communities.
“Other measures being planned and considered are improving access to counselling and psychosocial support services, strengthening cross-sector collaboration to improve early identification of individuals at risk, and leveraging data and evidence-based approaches to identify trends and develop more targeted interventions,” she told Media Selangor.
Anfaal added that these initiatives are on top of existing measures being implemented by the state, such as enhancing collaboration with hospitals, the Health Ministry (MOH), the police, educational institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to identify and support individuals at risk.
“Other key ongoing measures include strengthening public education and awareness programmes on child protection, responsible parenting, and available social support services, as well as providing counselling, psychosocial support, and case management for vulnerable individuals and families.
“The state also promotes community responsibility to encourage early reporting and intervention before a crisis occurs, while strengthening support services for pregnant women, children, and families experiencing social or economic vulnerabilities,” she said.
The councillor was responding to Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying’s remarks in Parliament on Monday (July 6) that Selangor remained the state with the highest number of baby-dumping cases, accounting for 10 of Malaysia’s 18 cases in the first quarter of the year.
She said the ministry will continue collaborating with the MOH, the Education Ministry, the police, the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), other government agencies, and NGOs to tackle underlying causes of baby abandonment.
Anfaal noted that Selangor’s status as Malaysia’s most populous, urbanised, and economically active state means factors such as higher population density and greater mobility contribute to a larger number of reported child protection and social cases, including baby dumping.
Similarly, the higher number of reported cases reflects stronger reporting mechanisms, greater public awareness, and closer collaboration among enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, social welfare services, and the community.
“The Social Welfare Department’s priority is not only to monitor the statistics but to ensure that every reported case receives timely intervention, protection, and appropriate follow-up,” she said.
Meanwhile, Anfaal said the Selangor Social Welfare Department recorded 43 baby dumping cases in 2025, with Petaling recording the highest number at 15 cases, followed by Hulu Langat (10), Klang (nine), Subang Jaya (three), and Shah Alam (three).
In 2026, 11 cases have been reported in Petaling so far, while Klang and Hulu Langat have each recorded four.
