Govt committed to upholding children's rights, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said expressed her satisfaction in receiving recommendations from advocates for child rights and civil society organisations for the draft Children’s Commission Bill, which concerns the establishment of an Independent Children’s Commission. She stated that these recommendations demonstrate the support of civil society for the government’s efforts in legislation, aligning with the “all of society” approach. The Minister also emphasized that the protection and well-being of children is a shared responsibility among Malaysians and extends beyond the government. Therefore, as Malaysia celebrates 66 years of independence, the country should establish its national integrity by advocating for the rights of every child. The Madani government is dedicated to upholding these rights and recognizes the importance of transparency and an independent oversight body, such as the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC). This message was conveyed by Azalina in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, September 1st.

Azalina further asserted that such efforts contribute to ensuring the safety of children and safeguarding the nation’s future. The Minister expressed her hope that the Children’s Commission of Malaysia Bill, which was drafted after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, knowledge exchange sessions, and comprehensive research, can be presented in Parliament during the upcoming October session. Azalina affirmed her commitment to engage with all stakeholders in order to establish an Independent OCC that will protect the rights of all children in Malaysia.

Notably, the recommendations put forward by 12 child rights advocates and civil society organisations emphasized the importance of independence for the Children’s Commission, its coverage of critical children-related areas, and the enhancement of basic health service delivery and protection. These recommendations were highlighted on Twitter by Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS).