The government could impose tougher new punishments on neglectful parents in a bid to curb the growing problem of runaways.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Mohamad Johari Baharum said mothers and fathers should be held responsible because at least 1,900 children have been reported missing since 2004.

The Sunday Star newspaper said he proposed "harsher punishments."

"We have numerous missing child cases. The public who sympathised with the parents failed to see the mistakes the parents made in the first place," the minister was quoted as saying.

Johari said that if the parents cared about their children they should keep a better eye on them.

"Parents who have failed in their responsibilities must be brought before the law," he said.

Under current legislation, Malaysian parents can be jailed for two years or fined if they fail to supervise their children.