The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) had organised the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak Johor State Level Year 2024 which was officiated by Datuk Seri Dr Noraini binti Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Onn, Batu Pahat, Johor.
This was a continuation programme that started last year in Kuala Lumpur, followed by Sabah, Kelantan, Sarawak, Selangor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan and will continue to 8 other states including the Federal Territory of Labuan. A total of 30% or 60 schools and approximately 60,000 students have benefited from this programme, thus far.
KPWKM through the Social Welfare Department (JKM) is very concerned with child safety issues, especially on child abuse and neglect. Children are an important asset that will shape the future of the country. Cases of child abuse and neglect are increasing and getting widespread coverage in the mass media, and social media. Based on JKM statistics, in 2022, approximately 6,770 cases of children in need of care and protection were recorded nationwide, while in 2023, as many as 7,532 cases of children in need of care and protection were recorded.
The Child Protection Advocacy Programme: Kasih Kanak-Kanak will continue to be implemented to provide exposure and knowledge to children and communities related to the case of children who need care and protection as well as actions that can be taken if children are exposed or involved in a situation.
KPKWM has a strategic partnership with the Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM), the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as a synergy between the ministries in continuing the advocacy programme so that the public is more aware of this issue.
Through this programme, the Ministry calls on children and the community to use the Talian Kasih 15999 or WhatsApp 019-2615999 service to get immediate help and assistance when there are cases of abuse, especially against children.
Hajah Khairin-Nisa binti Ismail @ Md On, Johor State Women, Family and Community Development EXCO, Aznan bin Tanim, Johor State Education and Information EXCO, Wan Noraidah binti Wan Mohd Zain, Deputy Director General (Operations) of JKM as well as senior officials of the Ministry and Agency, also participated in this programme.
