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STATEMENT BY

AMBASSADOR GLORIA CORINA PETER TIWET

 

HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

 

Mr. President,

 

1. Malaysia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Viet Nam on behalf of ASEAN.

 

2. Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 17 February 1995. We view our obligations under this Convention seriously and remain committed to continuously review our reservations to the Convention, in close collaboration and technical support by the UNICEF. To date, we have reduced the number of reservations, originally from 12 to 5 articles.

 

Mr. President,

 

3. In ensuring full respect of the rights and interests of the child, the Child Act enacted in 2001 was amended in 2016, with extensive positive developments, among others, as follows:

 

    3.1 Introduction of the concept of family based care with institutional placement as the last resort;

 

    3.2 The inclusion of children in the process of policy formulation through the appointment of 2 child representatives in the National Council for Children; and

 

    3.3 Abolishment of whipping for child offenders in line with Article 37 of the Convention.

 

4. In addressing sexual crimes against children, the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 was put in place. Subsequently, the Malaysian Government established a Special Court for Sexual Crimes against Children, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. We also noted with appreciation the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children during her visit to Malaysia in September 2018.

 

5. Looking beyond legislation, the Government of Malaysia strives to double up efforts in enhancing the necessary protection of children with initiatives, as follows:

         

1. the appointment of Assistant Protectors under the Child Act 2001 to empower the community in improving care and protection for children;

 

2. establishment of Child Interview Centre under the Royal Malaysian Police to enable specialisation in handling child victims and witnesses;

 

3. increased emphasis on mental health of adolescents including specific training programmes for teachers and school counsellors;

 

4. immunisation programmes and mobile health teams aimed at reducing neonatal and infant mortality;

 

5. introduction of the Zero Reject Policy in special education in 2019 to ensure that no children with disabilities are turned away from national schools;

 

6. intensified efforts in raising awareness of greater involvement and collaboration with the corporate sector; and

 

7. continued capacity building of duty bearers in collaboration with the UN bodies and international organisations.

 

6. In addition, Malaysia continues to expand child protection services and child justice with new pilot projects, as follows:

 

  6.1 Probation Services Pilot to further enhance the management and monitoring of child offenders;

 

  6.2 Diversion programme for children in conflict with the law to divert them away from the existing criminal justice system;

 

  6.3 Family Based Care Pilot to review the placement of children in institutions; and

 

  6.4 Child Friendly City initiative to create safe and inclusive cities for children.

 

7. The Government of Malaysia has also appointed a Children’s Commissioner under the National Human Rights Commission in 2019 to ensure sufficient attention is given to specific child rights issues.

 

Mr. President,

 

8. In closing, Malaysia wishes to reaffirm its commitment in making consistent and constructive efforts to ensure effective implementation of the Convention. We will continue engaging non-state actors, UN agencies, and civil society organisations towards further safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of children in the country.

 

I, thank you.