PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi want issues on bully to be one of the agendas in the next National Social Council meeting.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said she had raised the matter in today's Cabinet meeting and the DPM has instructed her to include it in the upcoming meeting.
"This issue cannot be shouldered by my Ministry alone because it transcends various ministries and agencies," she told reporters at the Ministry's Hari Raya Aildilfitri celebration.
On yesterday's commencement of Malaysia's special court for sexual crimes against children proceedings, Rohani said Sabah and Sarawak should each have such court too, which she would raise during the Cabinet meeting.
"We need these courts in Sabah and Sarawak. The young victims are traumatised enough by their ordeal and if they have to travel far, they may clamp up," she added.
Rohani said having a special court to deal with such cases had reflected the government's seriousness and commitment to ensure justice for the victims of such heinous crimes.
To a question, the minister said teenage pregnancy would have health impact on the young mothers.
"Biologically, these teenage mothers are not ready to carry a child at such a young age. It will neither be good for their health nor for their baby."
She also urged underaged mothers to take care of their health by undergoing medical checkups and eat properly just like any pregnant women would do.
Teenage pregnancy has been highlighted by the New Straits Times today, stating that it involved girls as as young as 13 years old turning up at baby hatch centres, desperate for answers on how to deal with their unborn child.
Police statistics revealed that about 100 babies were abandoned in the country every year.