Tag: JKM

Advocacy Programmes Encourage Children To Report Abuse – Welfare Dept

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 -- Growing awareness among children to report cases of abuse, bullying and neglect through the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline has contributed to the increase in reports received by the Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM). Selangor JKM principal assistant director (Children Division) Roziah Osman said the rise in reports reflects the effectiveness of advocacy programmes in educating children about their rights and the channels available to seek help. “These cases are increasingly being reported as we carry out advocacy programmes that cover not only bullying but also cases involving children in need of protection. “If we look at it, the increase has occurred because children themselves are now aware and capable of making reports through Talian Kasih,” she told reporters after the launch of the ‘Safe Child, Strong Nation’ campaign organised by the Children Protection Society Malaysia (CPSM) at Seri Negara here today. She said the department receives an average of between 40 and 50 reports a month through Talian Kasih involving various child-related issues, including abuse, neglect and custody matters. In this regard, Roziah said Selangor JKM is targeting more than 500 tahfiz centres and religious boarding schools in the state through its Child Protection Advocacy programme, which will be expanded beginning July 27. She said the programme focuses on raising children’s awareness of their rights and the channels available to seek help if they face any form of abuse or mistreatment. According to her, the focus on students in religious schools and tahfiz centres is not new, as the programme was piloted last year with the involvement of several religious schools in the state. “This year, we are targeting religious schools and tahfiz centres because previous advocacy programmes were mainly focused on schools under the Education Ministry and children in the community,” she said. She said the expansion of the advocacy programme to religious schools and tahfiz centres is expected to further raise awareness of children’s rights and encourage them to come forward for help if they become victims of, or are aware of, any form of abuse. Meanwhile, CPSM founder and president Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff Mushir Ariff said more victims and families are now willing to come forward to lodge reports as they are aware that support is available from the government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and various related agencies. He also proposed that every school appoint a dedicated teacher responsible for children’s welfare and safety to enable early detection of signs of abuse or other problems faced by students. -- BERNAMA 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Growing awareness among children to report cases of abuse, bullying and neglect through the Talian Kasih 15999 hotline has contributed to the increase in reports received by the Selangor Social Welfare Department (JKM). Selangor JKM principal assistant director (Children Division) Roziah Osman said the rise in reports reflects the effectiveness […]

Support And Protection, Not Stigma, For Pregnant Teenagers – Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 -- Teenage girls involved in out-of-wedlock pregnancies will continue to receive support to ensure they return to school and sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said. She said these students must be given every opportunity to continue their education and avoid dropping out of the school system. “They should return to their studies after completing their confinement period. I am very firm on this matter. There can be no shortcuts in life because education is the key to breaking the cycle of violence and rebuilding one’s future. “The Ministry of Education (MOE) will usually assist these students in returning to school and ensure they are able to sit for the SPM without disruption to their education,” she said in a Facebook post. The minister stressed that teenage pregnancy should be addressed through a support-, protection- and education-based approach to safeguard the welfare of both mother and child. Fadhlina said that once a pregnancy is discovered, the teenager should be taken to the nearest health clinic or rural health centre to register for maternal healthcare and open a pregnancy health record or the “pink book”. “The priority must be the pregnancy and the health of the young girl. The younger the teenager, the greater the risks to both her pregnancy and her health. The government healthcare system is fully equipped and has the expertise to manage these cases,” she said. She also advised parents to lodge a police report and arrange counselling support immediately so that the teenager can share the full circumstances of the case, enabling appropriate follow-up action. With her post, the minister also shared a media report on a young mother who pleaded guilty to causing the death of her baby in Johor yesterday. She said the case was particularly distressing to her as a former activist involved in establishing Bayt Al-Rahmah, a shelter for girls facing out-of-wedlock pregnancies. Addressing the challenges faced by parents, including feelings of shame and anger, Fadhlina said institutions such as Bayt Al-Rahmah play an important role in providing a safe environment and protection for expectant mothers until childbirth. “The government also provides similar support services through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), which offers shelter and protection under government-run institutions,” she said. Fadhlina further highlighted that the post-partum period is a critical phase that may lead to depression or other mental health complications if adequate care is not provided. Comprehensive support, including healthcare, breastfeeding assistance and continuous counselling, she said, is essential to ensure young mothers do not face overwhelming stress. “There are many young girls out there who are frightened and worried about their pregnancies. What is far more important is that we adopt preventive and supportive approaches when seeking solutions to this social issue. “We can save the lives of both mothers and children by acting early, trusting the system rather than social stigma, and building strong support networks within our communities,” she added. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Teenage girls involved in out-of-wedlock pregnancies will continue to receive support to ensure they return to school and sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said. She said these students must be given every opportunity to continue their education and avoid dropping out of the […]

RM5 Mln Set Aside For Rhythm Programme This Year

MELAKA, May 23 -- The government has approved a RM5 million allocation under the 2026 Budget initiative to implement the Ritma Kehidupan Harmoni (Rythm) Programme nationwide this year. Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the programme includes 133 Healthy Elderly programmes and 133 therapy programmes for persons with disabilities (PwDs), expected to benefit 13,300 senior citizens and PwDs this year. He said the initiative also includes six zonal training series involving 2,900 participants. “The Rythm Programme aims to improve the wellbeing of the elderly and PwDs through health and therapy programmes at Senior Citizens Activity Centres (PAWE), Community-Based Rehabilitation Centres (PDK) and Welfare Department institutions nationwide. “It also focuses on social wellbeing, holistic care and strengthening intergenerational ties to build a more caring and inclusive community,” he told reporters here today. Earlier, he officiated the Southern Zone Basic Care Seminar for the Elderly and PwDs held in conjunction with the programme, which was also attended by Melaka Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin. Che Murad said the programme involves strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), particularly in youth volunteerism and welfare activities. He said the initiative not only nurtures compassion and volunteerism among youths, but also strengthens community support for the elderly and PwDs. “It also serves as a platform to unite communities across generations, strengthen social support networks and build a more caring and inclusive society,” he said. For the southern zone covering Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor, he said JKM had implemented 12 of the 13 targeted programmes under the first phase, with plans to expand the initiative to the central, northern, eastern, Sabah and Sarawak zones. “So far, the programme in the southern zone has benefited 608 elderly individuals, with the involvement of 438 youth volunteers,” he added. -- BERNAMA

MELAKA, May 23 — The government has approved a RM5 million allocation under the 2026 Budget initiative to implement the Ritma Kehidupan Harmoni (Rythm) Programme nationwide this year. Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan said the programme includes 133 Healthy Elderly programmes and 133 therapy programmes for persons with disabilities (PwDs), […]