Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said those who would be appointed as Social Welfare Department (JKM) protection assistants would handle cases of abuse, neglect and those relating to child care.

“The main concept of a protection assistant is to expedite the rescue of children who are in danger and neglected in their respective local communities as well as for the public to use the 15999 Childline to report on such cases,” she said.

Wan Azizah, who is also women, family and community development minister, said this at the launch of the Child Safety Campaign (3K Programme) 2018 organised by the Yayasan Wanita Islam here today.

She said the group, which met the criteria as stipulated under Act 611, had also been screened at the state Social Welfare Department level.

Meanwhile, she said the government was committed to further developing and implementing various programmes and activities on children welfare under the National Child Action Plan, National Child Protection Action Plan as well as the National Social and Reproductive Health Education Blueprint.

Wan Azizah said the action plans were aimed at ensuring that every child received protection from neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation.

On the 3K programme, she said such initiatives being carried out by NGOs could help complement the government’s efforts in protecting children.