Two children missing daily - Police
A total of 3,067 cases involving children up to 18 years old were reported nationwide from 2020 to 2023.
KUALA LUMPUR - An average of two children have gone missing per day over the past four years, according to data from 2020 to 2023.
A total of 3,067 cases involving children up to 18 years old were reported nationwide during this period.
Federal Police's Sexual, Women, and Child Investigations Division (D11) principal assistant director Senior Asisten Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan revealed that 2,989 children had been located, while 78 remain missing.
The police's analysis identified six main categories for these disappearances: running away from home, running away from school or protection centres, abduction by guardians, accidents or disasters, becoming victims of crime, and unknown causes.
"Running away from home is the most common reason, accounting for 71.8 per cent of cases.
"Factors include the desire for freedom from family or guardians' control, peer influence, boredom, and family breakdowns," she added.
Running away from school or protection centres accounted for 3.36 per cent of cases, often due to family pressure to enter these institutions and a rebellious attitude towards school rules.
Accidents or disasters, such as drowning or getting lost in the forest, contributed 3 per cent.
Victims of crime represented 2.28 per cent of cases, while child custody conflicts resulting in abduction accounted for 1.14 per cent.
Kamsiah also added that some children leave home without their guardians' knowledge and become victims of crimes such as rape or sexual assault.
"Although a small percentage, cases involving crime victims are serious and receive significant focus," she added.
For missing cases of unknown causes, which make up 18.42 per cent, some children were believed to have met with accidents but have not been found.
Kamsiah cited an example from Sarawak, where a mother woke up to find her six-year-old child missing, possibly having fallen into a river.
The police collaborated with various agencies, government departments, and non-governmental organisations to trace missing children.
Kamsiah stressed that the police communicate with families to provide updates and psychological support.
The community is encouraged to report missing children to the nearest police station.
Information can also be shared via the Official Missing Children Portal and the NUR Alert early warning system for children under 12.
From 2020 to 2022, over 97 per cent of missing child cases were resolved.
However, some children remain unaccounted for, believed to have been involved in accidents without their bodies being found.
