SHAH ALAM, July 27 — Selangor is intensifying efforts to strengthen child protection through continuous advocacy programmes to ensure the welfare and safety of more than 1.8 million children in the state are continuously safeguarded.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the effort is important, given that Selangor faces various challenges and social issues as a high-density population state.
From January to June this year, 2,306 child-related cases were recorded in Selangor, with 1,877 of them related to care and protection, 366 cases of criminal misconduct, and 63 cases of children beyond control.
"The effort to raise children in a safe environment, free from crime and security issues, is the main focus of the state government to create a prosperous, sustainable, and caring state.
"The programme in collaboration with Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan has been a continuous effort since 2004, benefitting more than 100,000 students nationwide, and is part of the effort to strengthen the child protection ecosystem in Selangor," she said.
Anfaal was speaking at a media conference after launching 'Program Advokasi Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak: Kasih Kanak-Kanak Selangor', which was also attended by Selangor Social Welfare Department director Azmir Kassim, at the State Secretariat Building today.
The event saw 250 participants from 52 schools and tahfiz institutions under the administration of the Selangor Education Department (JPNS), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), and the Selangor Tahfiz Al-Quran Institutions Association.
Meanwhile, she said the state government cannot act only after a crime or misconduct occurs; advocacy efforts need to be carried out continuously and comprehensively.
Therefore, an approach involving collaboration among various agencies, including JPNS, JAIS, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, is very important, in addition to ensuring that protection also covers children in care institutions, tahfiz centres and religious schools.
