World Children's Day: Johari Prays For Children In Gaza To Be Protected

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20  (Bernama) -- In conjunction with World Children's Day today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul prayed for all children, especially those in the Gaza Strip, would be protected from any form of cruelty.

That was conveyed in his speech at the start of the Dewan Rakyat session today.

According to him, as of today, more than 700,000 children in the Gaza Strip have lost their homes, more than 4,600 people lost their lives and almost 9,000 others are injured.

"Today, the 20th of November 2023, the world celebrates International Children's Day, an important date for all of us to renew our resolve to protect children's rights based on the 1995 Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially in relation to the rights of the child, which are the right to survival, the right to protection, the right to development and the right to participation," he said.

Johari also reminded members of the August House, trustees of the child, including parents and teachers in the country to ensure that children grow up free from discrimination, violence and exploitation in a safe and prosperous environment.

He said that in conjunction with World Children's Day, an exhibition is being held at the Main Lobby of Parliament, while the World Children's Day celebration will be held at the Parliament Foyer at 1 am today.

Meanwhile, speaking at the Children's Day 2023 celebration held at Parliament's main block today, Johari said that under legislative jurisdiction, the Dewan Rakyat also has a role in ensuring that the agenda of empowering children's rights is maintained.

He strongly believes that any initiative implemented to benefit children is a wise investment as they will soon be primed to take on the leadership of this country.

“The Parliament of Malaysia is committed to ensuring that children’s rights are protected with the establishment of the Special Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development which acts as a check and balance mechanism as well as the eyes and ears of the people in monitoring the implementation of government policies and programmes.

“In fact, we have we have also established the Youth Parliament, which involves youths from the age of 16, and by next year, we will be having Youth Parliament with 222 youth representatives with a sitting to discuss national issues,” he said.

Expressing his concern on children-related needs and issues, Johari said as the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, he will remind the Members of Parliament to ask for more budget for the children segment for the upcoming years.

-- BERNAMA