Consultant paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS welcomed the updated National Children’s Policy launched by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri on Sunday, but said it was far from perfect.
Nancy said the updated policy aims to promote children’s survival, protection, development, and participation, something Dr Amar agrees is important.
He, however, wondered what happened to the National Children’s Policy and the National Children’s Action Plan 2009-2015, launched in July 2009.
The 2009-2015 policy objectives emphasised the rights of children to survival, protection, development, and participation – principles that align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
To support the implementation of these policies, the government proposed a Social Workers Act to regulate the social work profession in Malaysia. This initiative was supposed to have been tabled in Parliament in 2011 but has been pushed back to next year.
“As we launch a new and more comprehensive National Children’s Policy, we must ask: What was the outcome of the National Children’s Policy and the National Children’s Action Plan 2009-2015? Was there an audit of that policy and action plan?” he asked.
“Did we achieve the targets set, and to what extent? It is good governance and should be routine to audit the achievements and shortfalls of an old plan before making a new one.
“I am sure that all of us in Malaysia would appreciate it if any audit conducted were shared publicly.”
Dr Amar said the updated policy aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which outlines 16 strategic priorities and four primary objectives focusing on health, education, safety, and welfare.
He was also delighted with the engagement with civil society and non-governmental agencies in planning the new policy but said the ‘action plan’ should be made available soon for evaluation and feedback on five key areas:
• What are the targets to achieve the four main objectives and 16 strategic priorities? Are they detailed, comprehensive, and realistic?
• What are the mechanisms to achieve these objectives and strategic priorities? Will adequate resources be allocated to achieve them?
• Which agency or agencies will be involved, and take responsibility for each objective and strategic priority?
• What is the timeline for achieving each objective and strategic priority?
• What is the steering or oversight mechanism to monitor and drive implementation over time?
Dr Amar also raised concerns about certain aspects of the policy, which claims to cover all children in Malaysia, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Child Act (2001), promoting principles such as inclusivity, equality, non-discrimination, and the best interests of the child.
“However, it includes a caveat stating that the policy is subject to existing laws, which means discriminatory policies will continue to affect certain groups of children, including stateless children, refugees, migrants, those in detention, and potentially children with disabilities,” he said.
“Malaysia also reserves its position on key articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, including those related to non-discrimination, nationality, education, and protection from torture.
“As a result, the policy does not guarantee equality or the best interests of all children in Malaysia, leaving some children excluded from essential rights and opportunities like education, healthcare, and protection.”
He also said that more mechanisms were needed to listen to children and take their opinions seriously.
Main image: Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s Facebook
