KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 24 -- A total of 175 babies aged 12 months and below were rescued and placed under the protection of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) between 2022 and 2025 after being abandoned, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) said.

In a written reply yesterday, the ministry said that all cases of baby and child abandonment are investigated by the police, while JKM is responsible for rescuing and protecting the children under the Child Act 2001.

To address the issue, KPWKM has implemented a series of preventive initiatives focused on advocacy and support. These include the National Reproductive and Social Health Education Policy (PEKERTI) and an advocacy campaign themed "Don't Be Ashamed to Know, Do...