Recommendations from the 9th Asean Children’s Forum will help shape future child policies and the ongoing review of Malaysia’s Child Act, says Nancy Shukri.
PUTRAJAYA: Recommendations from children participating in the 9th Asean Children’s Forum will help shape future child-related policies, including the ongoing review of the Child Act, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said.
She said the biennial gathering provides children with a meaningful platform to express their views, concerns and aspirations directly to policymakers.
“We are not children. We want to hear from them, in their own voices.
“This is a very good opportunity for them to truly share how they feel and what they think should be done for them,” she told reporters after officiating the forum today.
Nancy said the forum was designed to ensure children are actively involved in discussions on issues affecting them, rather than having decisions made solely by adults.
She said participants would spend two days exchanging ideas and experiences before compiling recommendations to be submitted to governments for consideration.
“These recommendations will be useful for us. They will guide us on what they want,” she said.
Nancy stressed that children today are growing up in a rapidly changing environment, particularly with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), making it even more important to involve them in shaping policies that will affect their future.
“Things are changing very fast. Especially now that we have AI, so it is very challenging for us.
“If we do not bring them in, we might lose some opportunities for those who are able to help themselves understand what the future will look like,” she said.
She added that empowering children to participate in policymaking was also part of broader efforts to eliminate violence against children across the region.
“We no longer want to see violence against children. It should not be decided only by today’s leaders.
“They are the future leaders, and they should have a say in planning for themselves and future generations,” she said.
Malaysia is hosting the Asean Children’s Forum for the first time since its inception. The ninth edition brings together child representatives from all 11 Asean member states.
Nancy said every child has the right to protection, survival, development and meaningful participation, stressing that policies affecting children must be guided by the principle of the child’s best interests.
She also highlighted that, according to UNICEF, the Asia-Pacific region is home to about 1.12 billion children, while Asean has more than 200 million people below the age of 18, accounting for around 30% of the region’s total population.
“The future of Asean depends on the young generation of today,” she said.
Nancy said the forum’s theme reflects Asean’s collective commitment to ensuring children grow up in safe, inclusive and supportive environments, while providing them with opportunities to be heard and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.
She added that the theme, “Shielding Asean Childhood: Say No to Violence”, aligns with the Asean Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children 2026–2035, which is currently being finalised and is expected to be endorsed by Asean leaders at the 49th Asean Summit in the Philippines later this year.
In another development, Nancy said the proposals from the forum could also contribute to the ongoing review of the Child Act, adding that the legislative review remains a continuous process and new recommendations would be considered where appropriate.
“Reviewing the Child Act is an ongoing process. If we have something that we feel should be included, then we will add it because the review is not over yet,” she said.
Previously, Nancy said the ministry was reviewing the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), guided by 159 recommendations issued by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The recommendations cover a wide range of areas, including legal reforms, stronger protection against abuse and improved implementation of children’s rights.
As part of the review, the government is also considering amendments to Section 97 of the Act to introduce clearer limits on detention periods for child offenders, following recommendations by a special committee established after the abolition of the mandatory death penalty and life imprisonment in 2023.