Nancy: Online safety law for children in the works

Borneo Post

13-07-2025

Nancy fields questions from reporters at the event. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (July 13): The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is actively working with relevant agencies and ministries to pave the way for the introduction of legislation aimed at protecting children from online threats, said its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Nancy said that while Malaysia has yet to enact specific laws to address online risks to children, discussions and collaborations are already ongoing through various platforms, including the National Social Council.
'We don't yet have a law, but it is being worked on. This is something we must do for our country, just as other countries have already established their own laws,' she told reporters when met after officiating the 2024 Excellent Service Awards (APC) ceremony for the Kuching District Education Office at Dewan Hikmah in Petra Jaya here today.
Nancy was responding to a question highlighting that a significant majority of children and adolescents in Malaysia are exposed to online risks, with many lacking the knowledge to protect themselves from digital threats.
She stressed that the government is not ignoring the issue and has been working with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and various ministries including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Ministry of Education, among others.
'Even advertisements on television are reminding parents not to expose their children unnecessarily on social media, just because they think their child is cute. This can have serious consequences,' she said.
On the legal front, Nancy clarified that while the law will not be drafted by KPWKM, the ministry is working closely with those responsible.
'The law will be drafted through the Ministry in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) led by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. But we need cooperation from the Ministry of Digital and MCMC. It is not just the responsibility of one ministry.
'If the responsibility is eventually given to us, we will take it on—we are already cooperating with the relevant ministries,' she said.
Nancy also said Malaysia would be participating in the upcoming session of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Geneva, where the government will share the steps it has taken and plans to take to protect children, including in the digital space.
'InsyaAllah, we will be going to Geneva again for the CRC, where we will talk about what we have done and what we intend to do in Malaysia,' she added.
Touching on growing concerns over children's mental health, Nancy responded to remarks made by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye during a mental health advocacy event, where he said the issue was becoming more pressing and called on parents to take greater responsibility at home rather than relying solely on school counsellors.
'Parents do play a critical role. That's why we always work closely with the Ministry of Education and local education departments. Today's event is an example of how we collaborate,' she said.
She stressed the importance of community and parental involvement.
'We cannot leave the responsibility of shaping good values to teachers alone. We need input from parents, Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), and community leaders,' said Nancy.
Nancy added that KPWKM conducts various parenting and youth-focused programmes, including KafeTEEN, and provides access to trained counsellors.
'We've been promoting the Talian Kasih 15999, which will direct callers to relevant counsellors. These issues are not limited to children; they affect society as a whole. Mental distress is a global issue,' she said.
According to Nancy, the One-Stop Social Support Centre (PSSS) under her ministry has seen growing demand from both the public and private sectors.
'We collaborate with NGOs and bring our mobile units to communities. The idea is to raise awareness and offer help. Some people don't have anyone to talk to, so we create that support space.
'If needed, those who seek help through PSSS can be referred for more specialised treatment through proper arrangements,' she added.