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KUALA LUMPUR (12 SEPTEMBER 2026) – The Children’s Commissioners (CC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), expresses grave concern over the recent attack on a two year old girl by five roaming dogs in Batu Pahat, Johor.

The child was reportedly attacked outside her grandmother’s home at about 7.00 a.m. on 5 September 2026 and sustained serious injuries before being taken to district hospital and subsequently transferred to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Bahru for further treatment. The Children’s Commissioners extend concern and solidarity to the child and her family, and hope for her continued recovery.

This incident must not be viewed as an isolated occurrence. Based on media reports reviewed by the CC, at least eight serious cases involving children being attacked or bitten by roaming or stray dogs have been reported since 2023, including cases resulting in death. These include attacks involving very young children in Pitas, Klang, Semporna, Langkawi, Sungai Buloh and Cheras, as well as the recent Batu Pahat incident. A separate case in Kuching in 2026 involved a 10-year-old boy who died following a dog bite and subsequent rabies infection.

At least three child fatalities can be identified from the media reports reviewed, namely in Semporna in 2024, Sungai Buloh in 2025 and Kuching in 2026. This review should not, however, be treated as comprehensive national statistics. What is particularly concerning is the vulnerability of the children involved. Some victims were as young as one or two years old. Reported incidents have occurred not only in remote locations, but in or near homes, residential areas and places associated with children’s daily activities. In Klang, for example, an 11-year-old girl was reportedly attacked by two dogs while taking out rubbish and required surgery. In Cheras, a six-year-old boy was attacked while riding his bicycle near his home.

The risk is also not limited to dog bites. In Sitiawan, a child reportedly ran into a road after being chased by a dog and narrowly avoided being hit by a vehicle. In Kedah last month, a school pupil reportedly fell into a drain after being chased by a group of dogs while cycling to school. These incidents demonstrate that roaming or aggressive dogs can create wider risks of falls, road accidents and other serious injuries.

Children have the right to live, play, walk and travel to school in environments that are reasonably safe from foreseeable and preventable risks. Very young children are especially vulnerable because of their physical size, limited ability to defend themselves and limited capacity to respond appropriately when confronted by aggressive animals.

The CC therefore call for a fundamental shift from reactive response after tragedy to proactive prevention before a child is harmed. Action against dangerous or aggressive dogs should not only take place after a child has been hospitalised, seriously injured or lost their life. Where a risk is known, foreseeable and reasonably preventable, preventive action must be taken.

The CC call for all local authorities to establish child-sensitive roaming-dog hotspots, particularly around schools, TASKA and kindergartens, playgrounds, People’s Housing Program (PPR) and flat housing, residential areas, school walking and cycling routes, bus stops and locations with repeated complaints involving aggressive or roaming dogs.

The CC further call on Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and State Governments, in collaboration with local authorities (PBT) and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), to establish clearer, risk-based response standards:

1. Map and identify hotspots, prioritising areas regularly used by children;
2. Prioritise complaints involving packs or aggressive dogs around homes, schools, playgrounds and other child-sensitive locations;
3. Establish clear SOPs and escalation procedures – from complaint and risk assessment to intervention, feedback and follow-up monitoring;
4. Conduct proactive and coordinated PBT-DVS operations, rather than waiting for a serious attack to occur;
5. Strengthen national data collection on animal attacks involving children, including age, location, injury severity, rabies-related outcomes and intervention outcomes;
6. Implement long-term population and risk management, including responsible ownership, registration and licensing, prevention of abandonment, evidence-based sterilisation, waste and food-source management, appropriate facilities, and stronger cooperation between authorities, NGOs and communities; and
7. Ensure all enforcement is humane and lawful, consistent with the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and other applicable laws and procedures.

Protecting children does not mean disregarding animal welfare. Both objectives can and must be pursued together. Effective animal management should be child-safe, humane, professional and lawful – not indiscriminate or cruel.

The CC also stress that safety education for children, parents, schools and childcare providers is important, including guidance on avoiding aggressive animals and obtaining prompt medical attention following a bite. However, safety education must never transfer responsibility for managing a known public safety risk from authorities to children.

A young child should not have to avoid playing outside their home, using a playground or travelling to school because of a foreseeable risk posed by roaming dogs. When a danger to children is known and reasonably preventable, we cannot wait for another tragedy before acting. Effective management of roaming and aggressive dogs is not merely an animal-management issue; where children are exposed to foreseeable risk, it is a matter of child safety and protection.

The Children’s Commissioners therefore call on the Federal Government, State Governments and all local authorities to act now – not after the next child is seriously harmed. Children’s safety must be built through prevention, preparedness and timely intervention, not only through action after tragedy has occurred.

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
12 September 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (11 SEPTEMBER 2026) – The Children’s Commissioners (CC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) takes serious note of the findings on bullying and cyberbullying contained in the Early Report on Malaysia’s Achievement in PISA 2025 issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE), as well as the recent statement by the Minister of Education concerning these findings.

The report records that 27% of Malaysian students reported being victims of at least one form of bullying several times a month or more, compared with 20% across OECD countries. The report also found that 44% reported being made fun of by other students, compared with 35.1% across OECD countries; 37.6% reported that other students spread nasty rumours about them, compared with 26.6%; and 12.4% reported being threatened by other students, compared with 12%. Of particular concern is the finding on cyberbullying. 5% of Malaysian students reported that hurtful information about them had been posted online without their consent, compared with 3% across OECD countries.

These findings must be understood not merely as a matter of school discipline or management, but as a child protection, safety, dignity and wellbeing concern. Every child should be able to attend school and participate in education without fear, intimidation, humiliation, violence or harassment. A safe learning environment is fundamental to children’s ability to learn, develop and participate meaningfully in education.

CC are particularly concerned about the implications of cyberbullying. Bullying is no longer confined to the physical school environment. As highlighted by the Minister of Education in her recent comments on the PISA findings, technology can allow harassment to continue after children return home, including through phones, chat groups and other digital spaces. The Minister also emphasised that students’ safety and wellbeing are closely linked to their ability to learn and develop.

Addressing bullying therefore requires a whole-of-system and whole-of-society approach. It cannot be the responsibility of MOE and schools alone. Parents and guardians have an important role in providing guidance, values and positive behaviour at home. Communities must foster a culture of care, empathy and responsibility, with members of society embracing a ‘jiwa pendidik’ – a willingness to guide, educate and protect children wherever bullying occurs.

All government agencies also have a role to play, according to their respective mandates. Bullying involving children may extend beyond education and require coordinated responses relating to child protection, mental and psychosocial wellbeing, digital safety, law enforcement and other areas. The private sector, including relevant digital and technology stakeholders, must likewise contribute to creating safer environments for children, particularly in the digital sphere.

CC therefore call for continued and strengthened efforts to prevent bullying and cyberbullying, identify cases at an early stage, ensure safe and accessible reporting mechanisms, protect children who report bullying, prevent retaliation or further victimisation, provide appropriate psychosocial and other support, and ensure that complaints are handled promptly and effectively.

Children must be able to speak up safely. They must know where to seek help when they experience or witness bullying, and their concerns must be listened to and taken seriously. No child should be blamed for reporting harm or placed at greater risk because they have sought protection.

TRIBUNAL FOR ANTI-BULLYING

CC also wish to highlight the Tribunal for Anti-Bullying (TAB) as an additional avenue for victims of bullying to seek justice and appropriate remedy. The TAB, established under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 [Act 876], provides a simple, speedy and cost-free avenue for justice in respect of bullying incidents occurring after 1 March 2026. The Tribunal has jurisdiction over complaints concerning bullying that causes physical, psychological or social harm.

Complaints may be made to the Tribunal for Anti-Bullying in respect of bullying incidents occurring after 1 March 2026 at the following contact details:

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

11 September 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (30 AUGUST 2026) – The Children Commissioners (CC), Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), take note of media reports regarding the Perak State Government’s proposal to introduce a RM500 First-Time Marriage Incentive for youths aged between 15 and 35, which is proposed for consideration under the Perak State Budget 2027.

The CC acknowledge and appreciate the Perak State Government’s intention to assist young people in addressing the financial and social challenges associated with starting a family. However, the CC are of the view that any form of marriage incentive should not include children or individuals below the age of 18.

The CC recognize that a person aged 15 may fall within the definition of “youth” under certain youth development policies or legislation. However, from a child rights perspective and under Section 2 of Child Act 2001, a person below the age of 18 is a child. Being categorised as a “youth” should not therefore diminish nor override the need for children to receive the special protection afforded to them under child rights standards.

The CC are concerned that including children aged 15 to 17 among potential beneficiaries of a marriage incentive could send a policy message that is inconsistent with efforts to prevent and eliminate child marriage. While the intended purpose of the incentive is to ease the financial burden of young couples, providing a financial benefit specifically linked to marriage may indirectly create a perception that marriage during childhood is accepted, supported or encouraged.

Children should not be incentivized to marry

Child marriage can have far-reaching implications for children’s rights and well-being, including their education, health, development, safety, autonomy, psychosocial well-being and future opportunities. Consequently, policies and programmes that affect children should be assessed through the lens of the best interests of the child, including consideration of both direct and indirect impact on their lives.

In this regard, the CC call for the principle of the best interests of the child to be given primary consideration in the finalisation of any proposal relating to marriage incentives. Children must also be given an opportunity to express their views and have those views be taken into account in matters affecting their lives.

Consistency with the policy on compulsory secondary education

The CC further believe that the proposal should be considered within the context of Malaysia’s recent strengthening of its education framework. Malaysia has extended compulsory education to the secondary level through amendments to the Education Act 1996 (Act 550), reflecting the country’s commitment to ensuring that children remain in the education system and are not left behind after completing primary education. Upper secondary education covers those aged 16 to 17. The proposed inclusion of individuals aged 15 to 17 in a marriage incentive scheme should therefore be carefully considered, as the same age group remains within the period of secondary education.

The CC are of the view that if the proposed First-Time Marriage Incentive proceeds, eligibility should be restricted to individuals aged 18 and above. This would help ensure that the assistance provided is consistent with a child rights-based approach and efforts to prevent child marriage.

The CC further recommend that social support for children below the age of 18 who are at risk of marriage due to economic hardship should be provided before marriage is even considered. Poverty and low household income have been identified as common drivers contributing to child marriage in Malaysia. Government support and intervention ought to be in place sooner to circumvent consideration of marriage as a potential solution to families’ economic deprivation.

Such assistance could be directed towards high-risk families through financial support, measures to ensure that children remain in education, school assistance, access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), social services and family-based interventions. The objective should be to ensure that children have meaningful alternatives to marriage and are able to continue learning, developing their skills and building their future.

Amend minimum age of marriage

The CC also urge the Perak State Government to consider legislative reform to establish 18 as the minimum age of marriage for both Muslim males and females in Perak. At present, section 8 of the Islamic Family Law Enactment (Perak) 2004 provides for a minimum age of 18 for males and 16 for females, while marriage below those ages may be permitted with the written permission of a Syariah Judge. The CC recommend that the minimum age of marriage be set uniformly at 18 for both males and females.

If a judicial exception mechanism for individuals below the age of 18 is retained, it should be genuinely exceptional, determined by a Syariah Judge and subject to a strict assessment based on the JKSM Standard Operating Procedure for Applications for Under-age Marriage. The assessment should include, among other matters, the child’s welfare, education, health, psychological well-being and socioeconomic circumstances.

The CC are of the view that any decision concerning an application for marriage below the age of 18 must be guided by the best interests of the child and to avoid the consideration of marriage as a response to poverty, family pressure, pregnancy, social stigma or other circumstances without first examining whether the child can be adequately protected through alternative interventions.

The appropriate approach is to support adults who wish to build a family while protecting children from being pushed or encouraged into marriage prematurely.

The CC further urge that the proposed age eligibility be reviewed before the proposal is finalised or considered under the Perak State Budget 2027.

The CC stand ready to work with the Perak State Government to ensure that policies and programmes concerning young people are developed through a child rights-based approach, giving due consideration to the best interests of children and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, develop and realise their full potential without being encouraged or pressured to enter into marriage while still a child.

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Children’s Commissioners (CC)
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
30 August 2026

KUALA LUMPUR (18 AUGUST 2026) – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of the Government’s intention to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU). This marks an important step towards a higher education environment that upholds academic freedom, institutional autonomy, freedom of expression and association, and meaningful student participation.

SUHAKAM recalls that concerns over restrictions imposed by AUKU are longstanding. In Muhammad Hilman Idham & Ors v Kerajaan Malaysia & Ors, the Court of Appeal, by majority, held that the then section 15(5)(a) of AUKU, which restricted students from expressing support for or opposition to political parties, was unconstitutional. The Court affirmed that restrictions on freedom of speech must be reasonable and justifiable under Article 10(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, finding no sufficient nexus between a university student’s expression of political support or opposition and the protection of public order or morality.

The decision carries significance beyond the provision challenged. It affirms that students do not cease to enjoy their constitutional rights upon entering university and that restrictions on those rights must not be arbitrary or disproportionate. Universities should foster critical inquiry, independent thought and responsible participation in public life. In the words of Justice Hishamudin Yunus, delivering the judgment of the Court of Appeal, “Universities should be the breeding ground of reformers and thinkers and not institutions to produce students trained as robots”.

SUHAKAM therefore views the proposed abolition of AUKU as more than the repeal of a statute. It provides an opportunity to reshape the relationship between the State, universities, academics and students by strengthening institutional independence while ensuring transparency and accountability. Given AUKU’s role in the establishment, constitutions and governance structures of public universities, its repeal should be accompanied by clear transitional arrangements to ensure continuity in university administration without reproducing provisions that unnecessarily restrict fundamental freedoms.

SUHAKAM notes the Prime Minister’s assurance that any future arrangement should not reintroduce restrictions on student freedom. Any new or revised higher education framework should be grounded in human rights principles and developed through meaningful consultation with students, academics, university leadership, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. It should also extend beyond student political participation by safeguarding the ability of academics and researchers to teach, research, publish, exchange ideas and participate in public discourse without undue interference or fear of retaliation, while protecting students’ rights to express their views, associate and assemble peacefully, subject only to restrictions that are lawful, necessary and proportionate.

Institutional autonomy must also be meaningful in practice, balancing accountability for public resources with safeguards against undue interference in academic affairs. After more than five decades of AUKU, its proposed abolition should bring substantive change to Malaysia’s higher education landscape. Ultimately, universities should be places where ideas can be freely challenged and debated, and where students are empowered to think critically and contribute meaningfully to society.

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Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
18 August 2026