Selangor: The Selangor state government is intensifying efforts to strengthen child protection through continuous advocacy programmes to ensure the welfare and safety of more than 1.8 million children in the state are continuously safeguarded.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor Women Development and Social Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari emphasized the importance of these efforts, considering the challenges and social issues the state faces due to its high population density. From January to June this year, Selangor recorded a total of 2,306 child-related cases, with 1,877 concerning care and protection, 366 cases of criminal misconduct, and 63 instances of children beyond control.
Anfaal highlighted that the primary focus of the state government is to raise children in a safe environment, free from crime and security issues, to create a prosperous, sustainable, and caring state. The ongoing programme, in collaboration with the Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE), has been in place since 2004, benefitting more than 100,000 students nationwide as part of the effort to strengthen the child protection ecosystem in Selangor.
She made these remarks during a press conference after launching 'Program Advokasi Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak: Kasih Kanak-Kanak Selangor'. The event, held at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Silver Jubilee Hall, was also attended by Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM) director Azmir Kassim.
The programme involved 250 participants from 52 schools and tahfiz institutions under the administration of the Selangor State Education Department (JPNS), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), and the Selangor Tahfiz Al-Quran Institutions Association (PITAS).
Meanwhile, Anfaal stressed the necessity for the state government to be proactive rather than reactive, insisting that advocacy efforts should be continuous and comprehensive. Collaboration among various agencies, including JPNS, JAIS, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is crucial. This ensures that protection extends to children in care institutions, tahfiz centres, and religious schools.