Home Ministry: Over 4,500 child missing cases recorded between 2021 and 2025

A TOTAL of 4,557 cases of missing children were recorded by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) between 2021 and 2025, with overall figures showing an upward trend in recent years except for a brief decline in 2023, the Home Ministry has disclosed.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said 594 cases were recorded in 2021, rising to 903 cases in 2022. The number then fell by 13.8 per cent to 778 cases in 2023 before increasing again to 1,063 cases in 2024 and 1,219 cases in 2025.

He said all reports of missing children are immediately classified as “Missing Persons” cases to enable prompt investigation and search efforts without waiting for a mandatory time period.

Saifuddin said PDRM has strengthened inter-agency coordination with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, the Department of Social Welfare, the Immigration Department, schools, non-governmental organisations and the media to accelerate efforts to locate and rescue missing children.

He added that digital platforms have also been enhanced through a dedicated missing children portal on the official PDRM website to widen public access to information and speed up detection efforts.

“Advocacy and public awareness programmes on child safety are also being conducted continuously, including on risks of running away from home, online exploitation, social media influence, and the importance of parental and guardian supervision,” he said in a written reply in Parliament.

Saifuddin was responding to a question from Zahari Kechik (PN-Jeli) on measures taken to address the rising trend of missing children cases between 2021 and 2025.

He said the role of School Liaison Officers has also been strengthened, with increased focus on student safety and monitoring of repeat missing cases.

The ministry added that police are also identifying key factors contributing to child disappearances, including family conflict, peer influence, emotional issues, sexual exploitation, uncontrolled social media use, and tendencies to run away from home or care institutions. - June 30, 2026