KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry will collaborate with the Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) to organise mass weddings in a bid to address the rising issue of baby dumping cases.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said this step was taken as a preventive measure against the increasing number of abandoned babies in Sarawak.
She expressed this concern in light of a recent incident where a teenager allegedly abandoned a baby in the residential area of Bandar Baru Samariang.
“Therefore, we should increase the birth rate by encouraging marriage, especially among the youths.
“We welcome those who wish to get married, and we will organise programmes such as mass weddings, to ensure that marriages are conducted properly,” she said.
She said this when met by reporters after officiating the National OKU Day 2023 at Padang Merdeka here today (Dec 3).
Nancy also mentioned the collaboration with JAIS to introduce the “Smart Start” programme, focusing on providing information on household management to the youth.
“Our ministry will continue to work with the Sarawak Government and JAIS to implement joint programmes that form an understanding of noble values in the family.
“We need to continue with these programs to ensure that this group understands the values practised by the family.
“As part of this effort, we will also attend a program in Sibu on December 7 with JAIS to discuss the next steps in overcoming this problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, she said her ministry recently held an international panel discussion session in Kuala Lumpur with UNICEF to deliberate on intervention strategies.
She said there is a need for Sarawak to increase its birth rate, as the state has the lowest birth rate in the country.
