KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development ministry has established the Child Development Department (JPKK) tasked with child development and protection issues in general.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that the department, which was mooted under the tabling of the 2023 Budget in February by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be parked under the Social Welfare Department (JKM), replacing the Children's Division.
"The establishment of the department has been approved by the Public Service Department and Finance Ministry where it will replace the Social Welfare Department's Children Division.
"This went into effect earlier on Sept 1 and that the department will gradually grow independent by 2026 where it will be a standalone agency under the ministry."
She said that the department is also one of the immediate solutions to overcome the issue of child abuse and neglect.
Nancy added that the new department will focus on five key thrusts namely in prevention, development, protection, rehabilitation and integration into society.
She also said that its establishment would see the increase of manpower of child protection officers and allow them to devote time to better enhance child protection.
"With an increase of 965 personnel in contract staff, it is expected that in 2026, the ratio of protection officers who handle children's cases from 1:108 currently, will come down to one officer per 30 children's cases (1:30), per year.
"The officer's caseload will also be reduced and they are able to devote more time to strengthen the case management against children including elements of intervention, monitoring and evaluation of cases as well as implementing prevention and advocacy programs regarding the protection and safety of children.
"The increased staffing and competence, will also strengthen community mobilisation efforts through strategic collaboration with the Child Protection Team and Child Welfare Team as well as protective assistants in all 105 districts that have been appointed under the Children's Act 2001 in providing protection and ensuring the safety of children," Nancy said during a special briefing session on the matter in parliament, here, today.
She also added that the department's establishment will also allow child protection and welfare issues to be handled quickly, efficiently and proactively.