KUALA LUMPUR – Approximately two children go missing daily in Malaysia, but data since 2020 shows that authorities have successfully located 96% of them, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin told Parliament today.
Responding to a question from Muhammad Ismi Mat Taib (Parit–PN) regarding the Home Ministry’s efforts to address the rising number of missing children in the country, Saifuddin revealed that an average of 770 children go missing annually. The majority (54%) are teenagers aged 13-15 years, and females account for 74% of these cases.
“Of the 3,847 missing children, 96% were found by authorities. Ten of those found were deceased, while the rest are still classified as missing. The main reasons for these cases are teenagers seeking freedom, following friends or lovers, or due to misunderstandings with their families.”
Based on information from the police’s Child Investigation Centre (CIC), also known as D11, measures have been discussed to mitigate such incidents and actions to take before, during, and after reports are received,” Saifuddin said during the Dewan Rakyat’s ministerial question time.
Saifuddin also outlined the Home Ministry’s efforts, which include focusing on awareness programmes. To date, 457 programmes have been conducted, involving 141,000 children.
In addition, the Nur Alert platform and portal will be used to expand search efforts for missing children, with moral and psychological support provided to affected families.
“We have launched several awareness campaigns specifically targeting children and women. For the record, this year alone, we have conducted 457 campaigns involving 41,000 children. In the event of missing child cases, we immediately activate and expand the search.
“We use the Nur Alert portal to publish the names of missing children, with their parents’ approval. When we find these children, we always ensure they receive moral and psychological support.
“My recommendation is that parents should not delay and should file a report within 24 hours if such incidents occur,” Saifuddin added.
It was reported that a six-year-old girl was lost by her parents on 20 July at a festival in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. She was found unharmed on 23 July at a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, approximately 370 km away from where she was last seen. – October 17, 2024