KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor government is looking to strengthen its approach to handling cases involving out-of-wedlock pregnancies and children born outside marriage, with a focus on safeguarding the welfare of both mothers and children.
State Women Development and Community Welfare Committee chairman Anfaal Saari said the state had initiated a roundtable discussion (RTD) organised by Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS) to gather input from various stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academics and government agencies, Bernama reported.
She said the discussion aimed to review and improve existing procedures, particularly those related to the registration of children born outside marriage.
Among the key concerns raised were the difficulties faced during the registration process, which could affect access to education, healthcare and official documentation.
“This discussion is aimed at finding approaches which can ensure that the welfare of the children and the mothers involved continues to be safeguarded,” she told reporters after the first RTD session titled ‘Hamil Luar Nikah Dan Anak Tak Sah Taraf: Penambahbaikan Prosedur, Tatacara Dan Garis Panduan Mahkamah Syariah’.
The session was held at the Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building today. State Islamic Religious Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah was also present.
Anfaal said several resolutions were proposed during the discussion, including strengthening coordination between agencies such as the Social Welfare Department (JKM), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the National Registration Department (NRD) to improve case management.
Participants also recommended expanding psychosocial support and rehabilitation programmes for mothers and children who require assistance.
“The discussion also touched on the importance of education and awareness among the public, including the role of family institutions and the community in preventing social issues involving teenagers,” she said.
Meanwhile, WBS chief executive officer Siti Faridah Abdul Samad said the session marked the first in a series of engagements leading up to the Gender Forum scheduled for September.
She said the outcomes of the RTD would be refined before being submitted to the relevant authorities for further action.
“The resolutions formulated from the RTD session will be submitted to the Selangor Islamic Affairs Exco, before being considered for tabling at the Select Committee level, and subsequently presented at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly,” she said. — March 13, 2026