PADAWAN: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has identified four key focus areas to fulfil and safeguard children’s rights within its administrative area.
Its chairman, Tan Kai, said the themes are Every Child Survives and Thrives, Every Child Learns, Every Child Is Protected, and Every Child Participates.
Under the Every Child Survives and Thrives theme, he said MPP has strengthened local child safety and health initiatives, while promoting inclusivity for children in rural and suburban areas.
He added that the council is also supporting digital learning and improving access to education to ensure children within Padawan are able to learn.
“We are also enhancing awareness of child safety and online risks, establishing safe environments for child participation, and implementing other preventive initiatives.
“To ensure every child participates, we have established the Padawan Child Council with both rural and urban representation, including members from all state constituencies (ADUNs) within our jurisdiction.
“This allows children to take part in consultations and development planning, while strengthening leadership through targeted programmes,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Tan Kai said MPP is monitoring progress through Padawan Child Council meetings held every two to three months, with updates reported to the MPP General Purpose and Community Development Standing Committee.
He added that the meetings are also attended by UNICEF representatives and MPP officials to ensure children’s voices are heard, in line with the objectives of MPP’s Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) action plan.
Tan Kai assured that MPP remains firmly committed to safeguarding children’s rights at all times.
“The council will continue to work closely with UNICEF, the Padawan Child Council and relevant agencies to ensure children’s rights are protected and that their views are taken seriously in Padawan’s development process.
“As stated during the first Padawan Child Council meeting on January 10, we, as a local government and as adults, share the responsibility to build a better Padawan for children and with children, leaving no one behind,” he said.
On how children’s views are gathered, Tan Kai said MPP has conducted several surveys on development in Padawan, with the Padawan Child Council actively contributing ideas.
He added that a UNICEF-led workshop held in June 2025 involved children residing in Padawan, during which valuable input was gathered with the support of UNICEF and appointed consultants.
“Based on these engagements, we developed the current Plan of Action for the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative in Padawan,” he said.
MPP signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UNICEF, which leads the CFCI, on April 12, 2023.
Tan Kai, who signed the MoU on behalf of MPP, said the council subsequently carried out a situational analysis (SiTAN), which was completed in 2025.
He noted that challenges faced by MPP largely stem from its vast administrative area and the need for collaboration with multiple agencies, as the scope of local government authority is limited in certain aspects.
“Nevertheless, we are working closely with UNICEF, the Padawan Child Council and other relevant agencies to ensure the CFCI continues to progress effectively,” he said.
