SHAH ALAM: A total of 1,354 cases of out-of-wedlock teenage pregnancies were reported in the state from 2023 to September this year, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told today. State Women’s Development and Social Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said, according to the Selangor Health Department, 799 cases were reported in 2023 and another 555 cases in 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as of September 2024, Selangor recorded 555 cases, categorised by age as follows: 13 cases in the 10 to 14 age group, 157 cases in the 15 to 17 age group, and 385 cases in the 18 to 19 age group. Anfaal Saari highlighted these figures while winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2025.

She elaborated on initiatives to address the issue, revealing that a preliminary framework for the Round Table Discussion (RTD) on Tackling Out-of-Wedlock Teenage Pregnancy has been initiated, with implementation set for the first quarter of next year. This initiative will be carried out by Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS
) in collaboration with Selangor JKM and the Bayt Al-Rahmah Welfare Association to develop comprehensive solutions.

Anfaal stressed the gravity of the issue, particularly concerning children and teenagers under 18 years old. To tackle this, the state has launched the Child Protection Advocacy Programme, in collaboration with Selangor JKM, the Selangor Education Department, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. This programme aims to educate children on safety and protection from sexual harassment and includes 12 sessions: 11 held in schools across all districts and one at the HICOM People’s Housing Project Children’s Activity Centre.