PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that an autonomous special branch to represent children will be set up under the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).
“There have been too many cases of abuse and mistreatment and various social issues related to children,” he said after the Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
He further announced that a special commissioner will be appointed as a Suhakam member to address abuse and social problems involving children.
“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will chair this social committee and the names of members will be announced on a later date,” he added.
The prime minister asserted that the recommendations which will be enforced by Women, Family & Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Earlier this month, Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had called for an independent children’s commission to be set up to safeguard the rights and well-being of children.
According to the Pengerang MP, an independent commission would have more power and autonomy, and could act as an oversight body on matters related to education, rights and crimes against children.
Azalina said although such oversight was given to Suhakam children’s commissioner, an independent commission would be more ideal.
She added that an independent commission would be able to more fully advocate the rights of children and address any loopholes in the law regarding crimes against children or in police investigation procedures. – Jan 18, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim
