He urged the nation, or Keluarga Malaysia, to share their love with these children, so that they could enjoy life like their peers.

“This foundation will broaden its protection to other Keluarga Malaysia children who also need such support. This is what inclusivity, togetherness and gratitude means in Keluarga Malaysia,” he said. “My hope is that, with this foundation, no more children from Keluarga Malaysia will have to go through suffering on their own.”

Speaking at a launch ceremony in Kuching for his government’s “Keluarga Malaysia” policy, Ismail said he recently met 13 children from two different families who had lost their parents to Covid-19 in the past year.

A 19-year-old, Nazurah Nabilah Benyajeed, now has to care for her seven siblings, while 11-year-old Hadrami Hasil has become the head of his household and looks after his four younger brothers and sisters.

Nazurah, Hadrami and their siblings are among the 5,173 Malaysian children who lost their parents to Covid-19, said Ismail.

“Imagine how big a responsibility they now have to bear. What they have lost are not just their parents, but moments of happiness growing up as normal children,” he said at the ceremony, which was broadcast online.

Ismail said that his “Keluarga Malaysia” (Malaysian Family) policy was not just a slogan or political rhetoric, but a spirit that the government will apply in running the country and looking after the nation.