Kuala lumpur: The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Women, Children and Community Development has proposed introducing a dedicated law to regulate and develop early childhood care and education for children up to six in Malaysia. Committee chair Yeo Bee Yin stated that the sector continues to face significant policy and governance challenges.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, key issues include the absence of a comprehensive policy, overlapping functions across multiple agencies, a lack of a dedicated law and coordinating body, and insufficient fixed funding. These gaps have hindered the integrated and sustainable implementation of early childhood programmes. Yeo addressed these concerns at a press conference at Parliament, joined by committee members Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang), Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar), and Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang).

Yeo, who is also the Puchong member of parliament, highlighted the committee's recommendation to place regulatory and developmental responsibilities under a single agency, mirroring Singapore's Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Further, the committee proposed the establishment of a National Early Childhood Care and Education Council to coordinate initiatives across various ministries.

The committee had tabled a statement in the Dewan Rakyat on August 19 regarding the sector. This statement was compiled from engagements with ministries, departments, universities, non-governmental organisations, and insights from a working visit to Singapore.