PETALING JAYA: The government is setting up a special department for children's issues which now fall under the Social Welfare Department, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
In a statement on Saturday (Dec 31), the Women, Family and Community Development Minister said that her ministry will be looking at the country's birth rate to ensure that the objective of a 70 million population in 2100 is achievable.
She said that the birth rate of Malaysia has dropped.
"While the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) aims to reach a target of 70 million people by the year 2100, we will need to look into this matter more thoroughly," said Nancy.
"This ministry is responsible for all communities, from the birth of a child up to the end of one's life. "During the second and third Cabinet meetings, we discussed the issue of at-risk children," she added.
Nancy said even though there is a children's division under the Social Welfare Department, there is always room for improvement.
"Therefore, the Cabinet has agreed in principle to establish a special department for children to look after their welfare and interests," said Nancy.
"I will present the paper after our team at the ministry has finished preparing the complete structure and proposed plan," she said.
Nancy also said that there needs to be more stringent legislation to protect children as there is an increasing number of abuse cases.
"The ministry will be collaborating with other ministries as legislation and enforcement are not solely under our jurisdiction," said Nancy.
She added that non-Malaysians in the country also require care.
The minister also conveyed her condolences to the families of those who died in the recent Batang Kali landslide and flood victims.
