Selangor aims to improve its approach to out-of-wedlock pregnancies and illegitimate children through a roundtable discussion focusing on child welfare and protection.
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is working to improve its approach to addressing out-of-wedlock pregnancies and illegitimate children. This effort centres on a new roundtable discussion focused on child welfare and protection.
State Women Development and Community Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the session aimed to gather views from NGOs, academics and government agencies. The goal is to enhance existing procedures for handling these sensitive cases.
Among the key challenges discussed were issues in the registration process for illegitimate children. These administrative hurdles can affect a child’s access to education, healthcare and official documents.
“This discussion is aimed at finding approaches which can ensure that the welfare of the children and the mothers involved continues to be safeguarded,” Anfaal told reporters. The session was titled ‘Hamil Luar Nikah Dan Anak Tak Sah Taraf: Penambahbaikan Prosedur, Tatacara Dan Garis Panduan Mahkamah Syariah’.
It was also attended by state Islamic Religious Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah. The meeting was held at the Selangor Economic Action Council building.
Anfaal said several resolutions were formulated from the discussion. One key proposal is to strengthen the referral system between agencies like JKM, JAIS and the NRD to facilitate better case management.
The resolutions also proposed providing psychosocial support and rehabilitation programmes. These initiatives are designed to assist mothers and children in need of help.
The discussion highlighted the importance of public education and awareness. It covered the role of family institutions and the community in preventing social issues involving teenagers.
Meanwhile, Wanita Berdaya Selangor CEO Siti Faridah Abdul Samad said this was the first in a series of sessions. These will lead to a Gender Forum scheduled for September.
She said the resolutions reached will be refined before submission to the relevant authorities. This process is to ensure they are actionable and effective.
“The resolutions formulated from the RTD session will be submitted to the Selangor Islamic Affairs Exco,” Siti Faridah said. They will then be considered at the Select Committee level before potential presentation at the State Legislative Assembly.
The Sun Malaysia
