PUTRAJAYA – The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) has set up an integrated action committee to tackle cyberbullying and online sexual crimes against children.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said the move is in line with Malaysia’s commitment to protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse based on Article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
“Malaysia must comply with the principles and provisions enshrined in CRC – especially when it concerns children’s rights, including their survival, protection, development, and participation,” she said.
Rina said the committee was set up on June 15, comprising various government agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and social activists.
The committee is tasked with discussing advocacy measures and appropriate interventions regarding the issues, she added.
“We (the committee) have discussed methods to tackle these issues (cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children). Among those that will be carried out is an advocacy campaign,” she said at a press conference after officiating the National Children’s Day 2021 celebration themed “Our Children, Our Future” here today.
In another development, Rina said KPWKM is drafting the National Child Development Index which will be introduced soon as an effort to improve policies related to children’s biological and psychological development.
She said the Statistics Department reported that as of May this year, children comprise about 9.69 million or 29.3% of the total population in Malaysia.
“Given this huge number, KPWKM – in the spirit of the ‘Malaysian Family’ – remains committed to ensuring the wellbeing of children in the best interest of the child,” she said. – Bernama, October 16, 2021
