KOTA BHARU - The Kelantan Social Welfare Department (JKM) recorded 48 cases of out-of-wedlock pregnancies involving juveniles from January to May this year, said its director Said Sidup.
He said in there were 26 such cases in the state in 2021 while last year it increased to 85 cases.
"This is reported data, what is not reported we do not know because sometimes families keep their children's pregnancies a secret for various reasons.
"Although the percentage is not too high compared to other states because of the controls carried out by the state government, we are worried that such cases will increase considering that there have already been 48 cases in less than half a year now," he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating the Raudhah Sakeenah Kelantan "Sepancar Sinar Segunung Harapan” book launch ceremony at Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Kelantan, here today.
The book is a compilation of six true stories of victims of social problems who underwent rehabilitation at the Raudhah Sakeenah care centre in Kelantan.
Said said that based on the study of the cases, most of the victims were involved with known perpetrators including being victims of incest with biological fathers, stepfathers, male siblings in addition to neighbours and friends.
He said among the main factors identified included the misuse of gadgets and breakdown of the family institution.
"We hope that the parents or families of the victims lodge reports with JKM or other authorities so that the victims get proper protection in addition to avoiding cases of dumping babies," he said.
He added that Kelantan JKM was taking various initiatives to curb the spread of such cases including exposure to sexual education at the school level in collaboration with the State Education Department (JPN) besides holding joint programmes to address the issue with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). - BERNAMA