KUALA LUMPUR: The power of community collaboration is something that child activist Dr James Nayagam has witnessed first hand when it comes to missing children.
Recalling a case he was involved in, he described how swift mobilisation and collective action brought a missing 15-year-old girl safely home.
"A girl went missing. Immediately, I contacted the 'penghulu' (village head) and the village committee, and the parents came down. We had a meeting with them and mobilised volunteers amongst us.
"I'm cutting all this short, but we found her. I'll never forget how we all got together as a community to track the girl.
"Everybody was working with the authorities but also coming together, collectively, to find her. We were all on the phone, keeping in touch, updating each other," he added.
Search parties were dispatched to various locations, and calls were made to friends and contacts in the area.
"Finally, thankfully, we managed to find her."
Nayagam, who is Suriana Welfare Society chairman, said the success of the operation was a testament to the proactive community approach they initiated.
"I hope and pray that any other community will have the same working relationship," he said.
However, Nayagam expressed dismay at certain communities that are reluctant to engage in community efforts.
"It is very sad because unless you have a neighbourhood group or association, most parents here in Kuala Lumpur or in Petaling Jaya suffer from social isolation because they don't want to be part of a group.
"We run projects at low-cost flats, where the relationship is much stronger as compared to housing estates with a gated community," he said.
Rural areas, according to Nayagam, exhibit a better model for community cohesion.
"I noticed that in the rural community, where they have committees that manage the locals, the tracking of children is much stronger," he observed.
As for troubled children themselves, Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin advised those considering running away that they are not alone.
"Reach out to a trusted adult or counselor to discuss your situation," she urged.
Hartini highlighted the value of speaking to someone reliable who can offer guidance and support.
For those feeling overwhelmed, Hartini recommended contacting support services.
These services range from shelters such as Global Street Mission (03-62596490) and Shelter Home for Children (03-79550663) to mental health hotlines such as LifeLine (03-42657995/late night 03-
80840995) and Befrienders (03-76272929).
"Explore all options before resorting to running away," she said, urging children to consider alternative solutions that may help address their challenges without risking their safety.
For those who decide to leave home, she emphasised the importance of finding safe places.
"If you do leave, seek help from legitimate youth shelters or services," she advised.
These, she said, would ensure young individuals know where to turn for protection and resources.
Hartini also underlined the importance of avoiding danger while on the streets.
"Prioritise your safety and avoid dangerous situations on the streets," she said, reminding runaways that their well-being must come first.
The New Straits Times, in its report, cited data from Bukit Aman's Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) which showed that in the first half of 2024, out of 572 missing children reported, 421 were girls, making up 73.6 per cent of the total.
Data also showed that most missing children were aged between 13 and 18. However, 59 cases involved younger children, aged 7 to 12.
Females represented the majority of missing cases, with 421 girls reported missing compared to 151 boys.
According to the statistics, the majority of the disappearances took place in January, with 117 children reported missing that month.
As of June, 484 had been found with 88 still missing.