Child protection laws in Malaysia: the changing trend

Abstract

Child abuse and neglect is a social problem that has been recognized by most of the countries in the world. Various laws, regulations and policies have been passed to address the issue of child abuse and neglect which generally focuses on an act and omission by the parents or guardians. Similar situations have occurred in Malaysia where there were several general and specific laws passed back in the early 20th century. The more specific laws were introduced in 1947 and gradually repealed and replaced by a specific law enacted in 1991 and the latest in 2002. However, the question is whether the development of child protection laws in Malaysia from 1947 to 2002 at tandem with the 'wave' created by the international communities? Are the current child protection laws in Malaysia prepared to accommodate the changes not only domestically but also internationally? Thus, in this article, the writer attempts to discuss the above mentioned issue, with special emphasis on child protection laws passed in 1947, 1991 and 2002.