GEDONG – The Samarahan Division-Level Children’s Day Celebration 2025, held at the Gedong Community Hall, placed children’s rights and voices at the centre of its activities, combining education, arts and community awareness programmes to highlight protection and empowerment.
The event, themed “Today, My Voice”, was officiated by Rodiyah Sapiee, Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong. She emphasised that the celebration was not only festive but also a vital platform to ensure children are given opportunities to develop their potential and build confidence from an early age.
Rodiyah underscored the importance of collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, schools, communities and parents in shaping a caring and virtuous generation, aligned with the aspirations of a CIVIL Malaysia. She noted that collective responsibility is essential to nurturing children who are resilient and compassionate.
During her address, Rodiyah shared statistics from the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM), which recorded 572 cases involving children between January and July 2025. Of these, 118 cases were from the Samarahan Division, covering issues of care, protection, crime and the need for restorative interventions.
She also highlighted the success of the Child Protection Advocacy Programme: KASIH Kanak-Kanak, which achieved recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) on 23 November as “The Largest Child Protection Advocacy Programme”. Implemented across 337 schools, the initiative reached 128,148 children in 2024, reinforcing its impact on child welfare and awareness.
“Through this initiative, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) and JKM are committed to ensuring that children continue to be protected from physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment, neglect, bullying and online exploitation,” Rodiyah explained.
The programme’s recognition reflects the government’s dedication to strengthening advocacy and protection frameworks, ensuring children’s rights remain a priority in policy and practice.
The ceremony was attended by Tamida Da’adi, Gedong District Officer, Mohamad Iskandar Mohammed Tudin, Samarahan Division Welfare Officer representative, Janfytria Abu Bakar, Samarahan Division Resident representative, and Abang Ronnie Abang Sa’adeli, Gedong Proper Zone Malay Pemanca. Their presence highlighted the collective support from local leaders and welfare officers in advancing child protection efforts.
The lively celebration, blending cultural performances with advocacy messages, reinforced the importance of listening to children and safeguarding their well-being, ensuring that their voices continue to shape the future of Sarawak.
