SERIAN: Child-related cases in Serian have already surpassed the total recorded for the whole of 2024, with 55 cases reported in the first six months of this year.
Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada said the Serian Social Welfare Department (JKM) recorded 50 cases in 2024 before the number rose to 86 cases in 2025.
He said the increase showed that many children still required care, protection and support from all sectors of society.
“Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and healthy environment, receive a proper education, and be protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
“They should also be given the opportunity to express themselves, be heard and have their views respected. They are the future of our state and nation, and it is our responsibility to protect and nurture them from an early age,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: ‘Kasih Kanak-Kanak & Hari Bersama Komuniti 2026’ at Kampung Taee here today (July 11).
Dr Sinang said programmes such as the advocacy initiative served as an important platform to raise public awareness of the shared responsibility to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other threats to their safety.
He added that such programmes not only disseminated information but also helped foster greater public understanding, raise awareness and strengthen collaboration between the government, communities and families in creating a safe and conducive environment for every child.
On the same note, he said Sarawak’s children should be nurtured not only academically, but also in terms of character, cultural identity and emotional resilience.
He stressed that protecting children was not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of the entire community.
“I urge all parents to spend quality time with their children, understand changes in their behaviour, and build relationships founded on love and trust.
“To our educators, I thank you for your dedication in shaping the character and future of our children. Teachers are often the first to recognise when a child is facing problems or needs help.
“To community leaders and members of the public, let us become the eyes and ears of our communities to ensure that no child is neglected, abandoned, abused or left living in unsafe conditions,” he added.
