KUALA LUMPUR – The government has been urged to boost allocations for children’s welfare and development in the upcoming Budget 2026, with particular focus on those with special needs and from vulnerable groups.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said Members of Parliament should use the budget process to push for stronger support, stressing the need for better infrastructure, mental and physical health services, and access to schooling for children without proper documentation.
“We truly hope that a larger allocation will be provided for children, especially those with special needs, such as autism,” she told reporters after a briefing session on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for MPs today.
Nancy also urged lawmakers across the political divide to put children’s rights at the heart of national policymaking.
“Issues such as child protection, education, nutrition, the environment and social protection do not belong to one party or another. They belong to the children of Malaysia, and therefore, to all of us,” she said.
Malaysia is due to appear before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in January 2026 for a review of its compliance with the convention. Nancy likened the process to “an examination” for the government, saying her ministry is actively preparing for the dialogue.
Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul echoed her call, saying Parliament must serve as a platform that listens to and acts for the next generation.
He highlighted youth-focused initiatives such as Sekolah Parlimen, Parlimen Belia, and the revived National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0.
“This year marks three decades since Malaysia ratified the CRC. But the CRC is not merely a document signed in 1995 – it is a living commitment,” Johari said. — October 8, 2025