KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure legislation reflects the best interests of children and remains responsive to emerging challenges.
He said issues involving child protection, access to education, documentation, digital safety and social inclusion require continuous attention to ensure children are adequately protected and supported.
Johari said strengthening children’s rights and welfare requires not only effective legislation but also sustained commitment and cooperation across all levels of government and society.
“Protecting children is a shared responsibility. It cannot rest solely with one ministry, one agency or one level of government.
“It requires coordination across institutions, collaboration between federal and state authorities and meaningful partnership with civil society, communities and families. Most importantly, it requires political will,” he said in his closing remarks at the Symposium on Legal Reform for Children’s Rights at the Parliament building here today.
The symposium brought together lawmakers, policymakers, legal experts, practitioners and child rights advocates from Malaysia and abroad to discuss reforms related to children’s rights and welfare. — Bernama
