KANGAR, Sept 29 — Approximately 5,278 domestic violence cases have been reported nationwide as of August, based on the Royal Malaysia Police statistics.
Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) secretary-general Datuk Maziah Che Yusoff said Perlis recorded 40 cases, down from 48 during the same period last year.
She described the decrease as a positive development and a clear indication that advocacy, awareness, and preventive efforts need to continue consistently.
"However, this figure cannot be seen statistically only. Behind every reported case, there was an individual and a family that needed protection, intervention, and continued support.
"Our main goal is to build a society that is more sensitive, courageous to act, and firm in rejecting any form of domestic violence,” she said when officiating the launch of the Well-being Advocacy Programme for Women@Domestic Violence (Aku Wanita@KRT) and the state-level PRISMAnita Open Day 2026 today.
Maziah added that in the digital era, domestic violence also occurs through misuse of technology and in the form of humiliating threats via any medium of communication.
Economic exploitation and restrictions on movement and social interaction also constitute forms of domestic violence, in addition to emotional and psychological abuse and sexual violence.
"Domestic violence can begin subtly through excessive control, intimidation, humiliation or financial restrictions — actions that are often dismissed as trivial at first.
"As such, we need to be alert to these early warning signs, have the courage to seek help and reject the notion that domestic violence is a private family matter that should be kept quiet,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Aku Wanita@KRT and PRISMAnita Open Day are part of the government's efforts to implement the National Women's Policy and Women’s Development Action Plan 2025-2030, particularly regarding the safety and well-being of women at the community level.
Maziah said KPWKM, together with the Women's Development Department, organised the programme to help the public recognise the signs and forms of domestic violence, use existing support channels and encourage victims to take action and lodge reports to protect themselves and their families.
"As of September 13, a total of 12 Aku Wanita@KRT programmes have been carried out in 12 states, with the involvement of nearly 4,300 participants,” she said.
