A PROPOSAL to increase reproductive health study hours to raise awareness among students will be submitted to the cabinet, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

Talking to reporters after chairing the second meeting of the National Social Council today, he said the council was informed of the alarming rate of social activities among teenagers as young as 13.

He said it will be presented to the cabinet soon by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri so that drastic measures can be implemented to tackle the problem.

“This problem is very worrying… This is certainly not a political issue but a real social problem and we must find ways to stop it,” he said.

Zahid said the National Social Council will also urge the cabinet to take immediate action to tackle online scams that have caused victims losses of nearly RM1 billion a year, adding that urgent measures are needed to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem.

He said to deal with online fraud cases, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the police force needs advanced equipment and new personnel.

Zahid also said the council has agreed that Bank Negara should instruct banks to provide facilities for persons with disabilities.

At the same press conference, Nancy said her ministry will prepare a proposal on measures to curb detrimental social activities among teenagers.

“We have organised reproductive health education programmes everywhere and will be extending the programmes to schools,” she said, adding that the ministry conducted a survey on unmarried people aged 13 and 24.

The survey showed 68.8% of respondents aged 16 to 24 and 31.2% respondents aged 13 to 15 have had sexual intercourse. – Bernama, July 27, 2023.