Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is undertaking a review of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), guided by 159 recommendations from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri stated that the Concluding Observations contain recommendations on a range of issues, including legal reforms, enhanced protection against abuse, and more effective implementation of children's rights. She emphasized that the UNCRC's recommendations relating to the legal framework and the implementation of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) will be scrutinized and factored into the ministry's ongoing review.

Nancy Shukri highlighted that the review includes enhancements designed to strengthen children's protection, care, rehabilitation, participation, and well-being, in accordance with the principle of the best interests of the child. She was responding to Senator Pele Peter Tinggom's question on amendments to the Child Act 2001 to ensure the protection of children's rights keeps pace with current requirements, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and global best practices during the Dewan Negara's oral question and answer session.

The minister also noted that the review of Act 611 would adopt a multi-agency approach, with input and cooperation from various ministries and relevant agencies, rather than being handled solely by KPWKM. She stated that KPWKM will examine recommendations under the Child Act 2001 on child protection and reporting mechanisms, children's court procedures, family and community care, rehabilitation and follow-up support, and the roles of parents, guardians, and relevant agencies.

According to Nancy, the review will also consider measures to define the functions and authority of stakeholders involved in child case management, strengthen cross-agency collaboration, and improve the responsiveness of interventions and services for children.