THE government has agreed to set up an autonomous branch of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) that will be specifically for children, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

According to Anwar, the decision was made after considering the mistreatment of children and the various social issues they face.

“There are just too many problems of harassment, abuse and social problems related to children,” Anwar said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Anwar said that the work to set up the branch of the commission will commence immediately. 

He also said that Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will chair a special social committee – which will include Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri – to study the issues faced by children.

He said that the name of the commissioner will be announced later.

Earlier this month, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said mooted the establishment of an independent commission to better safeguard the well-being of the nation’s children. – January 18, 2023.