A POST on X (formerly Twitter) alerting netizens to the existence of a missing children’s database has highlighted the many cases that go unreported in the media.
The post by user Loretta (@lorettabagg) has gone viral amassing 1.2 million views, with many netizens expressing concern over the high numbers.
The poster said she was motivated to share the information in the hope others will regularly visit the site and aid in tracking down these missing kids.
She also lamented that not enough was done by the authorities in cases of missing children, saying that the public only gets to know about any disappearances through social media alerts by family members.
Here’s a sample of what netizens are saying on the matter.
A few expressed shock over the number of cases as these weren’t highlighted in traditional media.
Given the high number of cases on the site, netizen wondered if a special task force had been set up to deal with this issue.
Some netizens expressed concern that these cases were not random runaways but were victims of child-trafficking syndicates and those involved in organ harvesting.
Some netizens also suggested better awareness and alert campaigns when kids go missing to mobilise the public’s collective eyes.
One netizen urged the authorities to be more proactive, noting how citizens were constantly bombarded with text messages during election season. “Why not do the same for these missing kids?” the netizen asked.
Another emphasised that speed was of the essence in such cases.
One asked the pertinent question why only some cases seem to get the media’s attention.
One commenter made a suggestion to rope in popular social media influencers to help spread news of missing kids and create greater awareness on the issue.
More than one expressed dismay over the site’s apparent lack of updates and also the misplaced priorities of politicians.
One netizen sympathised with the parents who must be going through unimaginable agony over the fate of their missing children.
That said, the number of missing children is indeed alarming. This is a serious issue which needs urgent action.
Given that it affects all Malaysians equally and thus cannot become a contentious issue, politicians from all sides should be able to agree on an action plan.
FocusM wholeheartedly agrees that this be made a priority issue. Urgent action is required. For once, there is unlikely to be any dissenting voices on the matter. – July 28, 2024
