Spurred by abuse incidents, Child Act amendments to be tabled this year

The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is finalising amendments to the Child Act 2001, which will be tabled in Parliament this year.

Minister Nancy Shukri said the amendments are not due to pressure from any party but were needed due to numerous incidents involving children, requiring comprehensive regulations, including for childcare centres.

“The matter (amendments) is in the drafting process, and as incidents occur, we are compelled to further amend the laws,” she added.

Nancy said the amendments align with the establishment of the Child Development Department on Sept 1 last year.

“Currently, the Child Development Department is still under the Social Welfare Department, so amendments are necessary regarding structure and division of duties, in addition to reviewing other related laws and tabling them in Parliament.

“There may be reforms, as many aspects need to be organised this year.

“The Child Development Department will stand on its own in 2026,” she said after the Aidiladha sacrificial rituals at Surau Saidina Umar in Bandar Baru Samariang, Kuching, Sarawak, today.

Nancy, who is also the Santubong MP, was responding to the call by MCA Women chief Wong You Fong yesterday for the ministry to strengthen the Child Act and related legislation to ensure comprehensive protection for minors.

The Child Development Department was established to find the best solutions for promptly addressing the increasingly critical issues of child neglect and abuse.

This effort is based on five main pillars: prevention, development, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.

- Bernama

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