HOLISTIC APPROACH NEEDED TO TACKLE BABY DUMPING ISSUES

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government may incorporate sex
education into the school curriculum as part of a holistic approach to tackle
baby dumping cases said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin who chaired a National Social Council meeting here Friday said the
approach was needed to provide better understanding and awareness of
reproductive health at school level.

He said the council also agreed that a comprehensive action plan was needed
to manage baby dumping with cooperation from the private sector and non
governmental organizations.

"Family is the most important institution in educating children and the
people must inculcate high moral values and religious understanding to overcome
social ills," he told reporters here Friday.

"The government through Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and
Education Ministry has started a number of pilot projects to tackle such issues
and the results are encouraging," he said.


Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister said the council had also
decided to set up a centre for the homeless, while the first of such centres
would be completed in November this year and house 76 homeless people.

"The centre is being set up in Kuala Lumpur to help homeless people and
provide them temporary accommodation before they can become self sufficient," he
said.

However, though the centre would only be set up in Kuala Lumpur, states must
also play a role in monitoring homeless people, especially in major towns, to
overcome such issues, he said.

He added that the government would also review the National Social Policy to
become a more dynamic platform that can become relevant to the rapid changes
that has been taking place.

"It is to ensure that the people enjoy equity, fairness and progress in a
healthy social and conducive environment and empower humans for life," he said.