A total of 175 infants believed to be aged 12 months and below were rescued and placed under the protection of the Social Welfare Department between 2022 and 2025, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has revealed.
In a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat, the ministry said cases involving abandoned babies and children are classified as children in need of care and protection under Section 17(1) of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611). The provision covers minors who are neglected, abandoned or not provided with proper guardianship.
The ministry explained that the Social Welfare Department is responsible for rescuing and safeguarding babies and children found abandoned, while investigations into such cases are carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police. Based on official statistics, 175 infants aged one year and below were rescued and given protection under Section 17(1)(e)(ii) of Act 611 during the four-year period.
The response was issued following a question by Zahari Kechik (Independent–Jeli), who sought updated statistics on baby dumping cases from 2022 to 2025, as well as details of initiatives undertaken to address the issue.
National Policy And Preventive Measures
To curb the problem, the ministry and its agencies have implemented a range of preventive strategies, including the development of the National Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy (PEKERTI). The policy aims to nurture informed individuals with positive attitudes towards reproductive and social health, reflecting the government’s long-term commitment to prevention through education.
The accompanying National Reproductive and Social Health Education Action Plan serves as a coordinated framework for stakeholders to implement relevant programmes and activities nationwide. Such integrated efforts are seen as crucial in tackling the root causes of baby abandonment within the community.
Youth Support Services Expanded
The ministry has also established Pusat Remaja kafeTEEN centres, which provide counselling and health services to assist teenagers in addressing physical, mental and social challenges. To date, 18 kafeTEEN centres are operating across the country, supported by the KafeTEEN Outreach Truck to extend services to wider areas.
In addition, advocacy initiatives under the campaign “Jangan Malu Ambil Tahu, Jangan Malu Bagi Tahu” have been intensified to build resilience among youths, promote healthy boundaries and raise awareness of the negative consequences of premarital sexual relations.
The ministry further highlighted the 24-hour Talian Kasih 15999 hotline, which operates throughout the year as a channel for complaints, including baby abandonment cases, as well as for individuals seeking assistance such as counselling. The toll-free line has expanded its services to include tele-counselling and access via WhatsApp.
Complementing these efforts, the ministry has developed the Cakna Diri Module (Teen Edition and Parent Edition) to guide adolescents and parents in understanding teenage development a
