COMMENT | Our children need independent commission

COMMENT | The government is currently developing a Children's Commission Bill. The passing of a meaningful bill is vital to the well-being of children in Malaysia that is harmonised with the preamble of our Child Act 2001.

What would make the bill meaningful?

A meaningful bill must give Malaysia a Children’s Commission that is fully responsible for multi-ministerial cooperation on policies and programmes regarding upholding and protecting all aspects of children’s rights.

It must have the authority to make policy changes and the power to require transgressions to be remedied within a specified time frame. It must not just be limited to coordination without enforcement capacity...