Latest news with #NationalSocialCouncil
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Unified approach to beat child sex crimes
KUALA LUMPUR: An inter-agency and cross-ministerial effort will be taken to combat the issue of child sex abuse cases, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic). The Deputy Prime Minister said the issue of sexual crimes against children – which surged from 2,541 cases in 2020 to 3,892 cases in 2024, which is an increase of 53.2% – needs serious attention. The number of victims also increased from 2,561 people to 3,988 people, which is an increase of 55.7% in the same period, he said in a statement after chairing the National Social Council (NSC) meeting yesterday. Ahmad Zahid said a seminar on child protection and overcoming child sexual and cybercrimes will also be held in November. He said the coordinated efforts against such crimes will involve agencies such as the police, and Home, Youth and Sports, and Women, Family and Community Development ministries. 'This is to address the issue in a comprehensive, stringent and effective manner. The development of technology and the industrial revolution have led to an increasingly sophisticated criminal modus operandi, including the use of deepfake technology and digital identity theft,' he said. On July 7, The Star quoted Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) sexual, women and child investigation division (D11) as saying that there has been a huge spike in child sex abuse cases with 11,479 cases reported between 2022 and April this year. The NSC also studied the implementation of the National Social Policy 2030 and the Action Plan 2026-2030 which is currently in the final phases and will be tabled to the Cabinet in October. The council also looked into the issue of mental health among the homeless who could not receive proper treatment and intervention due to the lack of special homes. 'The council supports the Health Ministry's initiative to set up a task force to build special psychiatric nursing homes,' he said. The meeting reviewed and proposed the formation of a Special Committee for Islamic Pre-School Education to coordinate issues related to registration, safety, health as well as curriculum and teacher strategy. 'This is a strategic step towards a more structured and effective early childhood education system,' he added. On the issue of job mismatch that has affected some two million graduates, Ahmad Zahid said the MyMAHIR initiative under the Human Resources Ministry and TalentCorp has been launched to address this. 'So far, a total of 66 industry-based training programmes have been approved under the MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Council, covering high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and the green economy. 'These programmes not only provide high-skilled training but also come with job guarantees, offering starting salaries averaging between RM3,000 and RM6,000 per month,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said the NSC will serve as the main coordinating body for national social policy. 'The implementation of DSN 2030 must be driven in a targeted and high-impact manner, with regular monitoring, measurable impact, and strong accountability by all agencies,' he said. The council will also be expanded to involve more ministries, including Energy Transition and Water Transformation; Agriculture and Food Security; Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability; Tourism, Arts and Culture; as well as the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories).
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Rising child sex crimes to be tackled with multi-agency strategy, says Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will adopt a coordinated, multi-agency strategy to address the rise in child sexual crimes and other complex social issues, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced today. In a statement following the second 2025 meeting of the National Social Council, Zahid said the government will implement an integrated approach involving the Home Affairs Ministry, the police, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to address this issue firmly, comprehensively, and effectively. Zahid cited worrying statistics showing a 53.2 per cent rise in child sexual crimes from 2,541 cases in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024. The number of victims also jumped by 55.7 per cent, from 2,561 to 3,988 in the same period. He said that technological advances have allowed for more sophisticated criminal methods, including deepfake technology and identity theft, necessitating stronger inter-agency coordination and digital awareness strategies. Among the key measures that will be undertaken includes the hosting of a "Child Protection Seminar: Tackling Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes" scheduled for November, as part of the government's commitment to preventive and educational initiatives. The meeting also reviewed implementation progress for the National Social Policy (DSN) 2030 and its accompanying Action Plan for 2026–2030, which Zahid said will be submitted to the Cabinet in October. Beyond crime prevention, the council also endorsed several long-term reforms, including a taskforce to set up psychiatric nursing homes for homeless individuals with untreated mental health conditions and a special committee to oversee preschool Islamic education nationwide. To address graduate underemployment, Zahid said the MyMAHIR programme, led by the Human Resources Ministry and TalentCorp, had approved 66 industry-led training programmes across high-impact sectors. These include semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the green economy, offering starting salaries between RM3,000 and RM6,000 per month. "The implementation of DSN 2030 must be driven in a targeted and high-impact manner, with regular monitoring, measurable impact, and high accountability from all agencies," Zahid concluded.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia adopts integrated strategy to combat child sexual crimes
PUTRAJAYA: The government will implement an integrated strategy involving multiple ministries and agencies to combat the alarming 53.2% increase in sexual crimes against children over the past four years. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the initiative following a National Social Council (MSN) meeting, highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated response. Statistics reveal a sharp rise in cases, from 2,541 in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024, with victim numbers climbing by 55.7%. Ahmad Zahid attributed the surge to evolving criminal tactics, including deepfake technology and digital identity theft. 'The Home Ministry, police, and relevant agencies will collaborate to address this issue firmly and effectively,' he said. A key measure includes a November seminar titled 'Child Protection: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes.' The meeting also reviewed progress on the National Social Policy 2030 and the upcoming 2026-2030 Action Plan, set for Cabinet approval in October. Homelessness among untreated mentally ill individuals was another concern, prompting support for a Health Ministry task force to establish psychiatric care homes. Additionally, discussions covered Islamic preschool education reforms and graduate skills mismatches, with 2.06 million graduates currently underemployed. The MyMAHIR initiative, offering industry-aligned training and job guarantees, aims to bridge this gap, with 66 programmes approved in high-demand sectors like AI and green energy. MSN membership has also expanded to include five more ministries for stronger policy execution. – Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
DPM Zahid: Govt to roll out multi-ministry blitz to tackle 53pc surge in child sexual crimes in Malaysia
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — The government will adopt an integrated approach involving various ministries and agencies to address the sharp rise in cases of sexual crimes against children, which have surged by 53.2 per cent over the past four years. Deputy Prime Minister and National Social Council (MSN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it will involve the Home Ministry, Royal Malaysia Police, Youth and Sports Ministry, and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to tackle the issue comprehensively, firmly and effectively. 'Statistics show that cases of sexual crimes against children rose from 2,541 in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024. 'The number of victims also increased from 2,561 to 3,988 over the same period, a jump of 55.7 per cent,' he said in a statement after chairing the MSN Meeting No. 2/2025 here today. Ahmad Zahid said technological advancements and the industrial revolution have led to increasingly sophisticated criminal modus operandi, including the use of deepfake technology and digital identity theft. Other planned measures include organising the 'Child Protection: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes' seminar in November. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Social Policy 2030 and the development of the 2026-2030 Action Plan, which is in its final phase and will be presented to the Cabinet in October. Ahmad Zahid said the issue of homeless individuals with mental disorders who have not received treatment due to the lack of special placement facilities was also raised. 'The council supports the Health Ministry's initiative to set up a task force to establish a psychiatric nursing care home,' he said. The meeting also discussed the proposed formation of a special committee on Islamic preschool education to coordinate matters related to registration, safety, health, as well as curriculum and teaching staff strategies. In addition, the meeting examined the issue of skills mismatch among graduates, with Department of Statistics data showing that 2.06 million graduates are currently working in sectors not commensurate with their qualifications. 'To address this strategically, the MyMAHIR initiative, led by the Human Resource Ministry and TalentCorp, has been launched. 'To date, 66 industry-driven training programmes have been approved under the MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Council, covering high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data analytics and the green economy. 'These programmes not only provide high-skilled training but also come with job guarantees, offering an average starting salary of RM3,000 to RM6,000 per month,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said that starting this year, MSN membership has been expanded to include the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) to strengthen policy implementation impact. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
DPM Zahid: Govt to roll out multi-ministry blitz to tackle 53pc surge in child sexual crimes
PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — The government will adopt an integrated approach involving various ministries and agencies to address the sharp rise in cases of sexual crimes against children, which have surged by 53.2 per cent over the past four years. Deputy Prime Minister and National Social Council (MSN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it will involve the Home Ministry, Royal Malaysia Police, Youth and Sports Ministry, and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to tackle the issue comprehensively, firmly and effectively. 'Statistics show that cases of sexual crimes against children rose from 2,541 in 2020 to 3,892 in 2024. 'The number of victims also increased from 2,561 to 3,988 over the same period, a jump of 55.7 per cent,' he said in a statement after chairing the MSN Meeting No. 2/2025 here today. Ahmad Zahid said technological advancements and the industrial revolution have led to increasingly sophisticated criminal modus operandi, including the use of deepfake technology and digital identity theft. Other planned measures include organising the 'Child Protection: Addressing Cyber Threats and Sexual Crimes' seminar in November. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the National Social Policy 2030 and the development of the 2026-2030 Action Plan, which is in its final phase and will be presented to the Cabinet in October. Ahmad Zahid said the issue of homeless individuals with mental disorders who have not received treatment due to the lack of special placement facilities was also raised. 'The council supports the Health Ministry's initiative to set up a task force to establish a psychiatric nursing care home,' he said. The meeting also discussed the proposed formation of a special committee on Islamic preschool education to coordinate matters related to registration, safety, health, as well as curriculum and teaching staff strategies. In addition, the meeting examined the issue of skills mismatch among graduates, with Department of Statistics data showing that 2.06 million graduates are currently working in sectors not commensurate with their qualifications. 'To address this strategically, the MyMAHIR initiative, led by the Human Resource Ministry and TalentCorp, has been launched. 'To date, 66 industry-driven training programmes have been approved under the MyMAHIR Future Skills Talent Council, covering high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data analytics and the green economy. 'These programmes not only provide high-skilled training but also come with job guarantees, offering an average starting salary of RM3,000 to RM6,000 per month,' he said. Ahmad Zahid said that starting this year, MSN membership has been expanded to include the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) to strengthen policy implementation impact. — Bernama
