CHILDREN IN MALAYSIA

Malaysian kids in 2010

Children are greatly valued. They are often spoiled when they are young and only introduced to traditionally deferential behavior and speech when they are older. Ill mannered children are dismissed as “kurnag ajar”, lacking education while well-mannered children are called “budi bahasa”, properly raised. [Source: Manning Nash, “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East / Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993 |~|]

Adoption is fairly common in Malaysia. Childless couples are often given a child by one of their relatives to raise themselves. Having a child in necessary to participate in kampong activities like gift exchanging and feasting. According to the Malaysian government: “Adoption can be an enriching and fulfilling experience for both parents and child. When you adopt a child you are creating a family. It is not just a legal matter but one that involves deep human emotions. Adopting a child and experiencing parenthood are major steps in one's life.”

According to the Malaysian government “family planning enables a family to systematically plan the future of the children’s welfare as well as to safeguard the health of the mother and her children. Choosing the best time for having a baby is of utmost importance for improving birth quality and ensuring the health of both mother and baby. This is particularly so when the mother is not in perfect health, and is afflicted with high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes and asthma. As such, in order to avoid high-risk pregnancies, prevention of harmful factors and the treatment of infectious diseases are very important for pregnant women. Within 14 days of birth, a newborn has to be registered with the National Registration Department. Muslims are advised to refer directly to Muslim scholars before terminating a pregnancy so that it would be in line with Islamic principles. [Source: Malaysian Government]

In February 2007, the Malaysia government said it would assign hotel-style star ratings to registered childcare centers to help raise the quality of such services in the country. Associated Press reported: “The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry said the rating system, to be launched in August, will assess the physical environment, programs, activities and parental involvement at 1,831 registered centers, the New Straits Times reported. Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was quoted as saying her officers would be better able to monitor the quality of child care centers using the system and help all the facilities reach at least three-star level, to ensure children were being cared for properly. [Source: AP, March 17, 2007]

See Separate Article EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA under Government, Infrastructure, Economics

Children Statistics for Malaysia

Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 live births): 8.3 [Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Child protection
Children under age 5 whose births are registered: 98 percent.

Children aged 1 to 14 years who experienced any violent discipline (psychological
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Early Childhood”
Attendance in early childhood education: 53 percent.
Early stimulation and responsive care (any adult household member): 25 percent
Learning materials at home — children's books: 56 percent.
Learning materials at home — playthings: 62 percent.
Children left in inadequate supervision: 3 percent
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Literacy: total population: 95.8 percent (2022 estimate); male: 96.8 percent (2022 estimate); female: 94.7 percent (2022 estimate).
Youth literacy rate (15 — 24 years): 97 percent [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years (2023 estimate); male: 11 years (2023 estimate); female: 12 years (2023 estimate). [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Children’s Health in Malaysia

Proportion of under-five children with suspected pneumonia taken to health provider: 92 percent.
Proportion of children under five years old with diarrhea receiving oral rehydration salts: 18 percent.
Percentage of infants who received three doses of DTP vaccine: 93 percent.
Percentage of children who received the second dose of measles containing vaccine: 93 percent
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Child Survival
Under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 8 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Number of under-five deaths: 3.638.
Infant mortality rate (IMR): 7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Neonatal mortality rate (NMR): 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Male under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Female under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 8 deaths per 1,000 live birth.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Maternal and Newborn Health
Caesarean section: 26 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Nutrition
Early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth): 64 percent.
Exclusive breastfeeding: 40 percent. (<6 months)
Prevalence of moderate and severe stunting: 24 percent.
Proportion of households consuming iodized salt: 28 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Sanitation
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services: 86 percent.
Proportion of population using limited sanitation services: 10 percent.

Proportion of population using unimproved sanitation services or better: 96 percent.
Proportion of population practising open defecation: 4 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Drinking water
Proportion of population using piped water: 95 percent.
Proportion of population using non-piped improved water sources: 3 percent.
Proportion of population using unimproved drinking water services. 2 percent.
Proportion of population using surface water: 0 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]

Childrearing in Malaysia

Malaysian infants typically receive close care and attention from their families. Most births take place in hospitals, although midwives continue to assist in rural areas. After childbirth, many families follow traditional practices that guide the behavior of both mother and child. New mothers may wear specific clothing, follow special diets to regain strength, and avoid certain activities believed to protect the baby’s well-being. Grandmothers or older female relatives often stay with the family during the first months to help care for the newborn. [Source: Thomas Williamson, Countries and Their Cultures, Gale Group Inc., 2001]

Malaysian kids buying toys and snacks from a roadside vendor in Kuala Lumpur in 2014

Child-rearing practices in Malaysia emphasize respect, family ties, and social order. Children are taught from an early age to recognize age differences and to address elders properly using appropriate titles. The family is seen as the main source of support and companionship, and children often grow up surrounded by siblings and cousins. This environment encourages close relationships within the extended family, while also teaching caution in interactions with strangers.

Education reflects Malaysia’s diverse society. Schools operate in different language streams, including Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil, which reinforces cultural and linguistic differences among groups. At the same time, all students share a similar academic structure, where progress is measured largely through examinations. This system places strong emphasis on learning and mastering knowledge.

Social expectations for children and adolescents stress discipline and modest behavior. Spending excessive time away from home or mixing too freely outside the family may be viewed negatively. A well-behaved child is expected to respect elders, remain closely connected to family, and follow established norms. These values help prepare children to function within Malaysia’s multicultural society.

Circumcisions and Rites of Passage in Malaysia

In traditional Malay society, several rites of passage mark early life. After childbirth, both mother and baby observe a confinement period, known as dalam pantang, which typically lasts 44 days. During this time, families follow specific practices related to rest, diet, and care. Infancy is also marked by ceremonies such as naik buaian, which introduces the baby to the cradle, and bercukur jambul, when a newborn boy’s head is shaved, usually around the seventh day after birth. For girls, ear-piercing (bertindik telinga) is another common early-life ritual. [Source: P. Bala “Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life,” Cengage Learning, 2009 *]

Circumcision is one of the most important rites of passage for Malay males. It is often treated as a significant social event, with relatives and members of the community invited to take part. Boys are typically circumcised between the ages of 7 and 12, marking a transition toward adolescence. In contrast, female circumcision, when practiced, usually occurs during infancy and is not accompanied by large public ceremonies.

Traditionally, circumcision for boys was performed by a specialist known as a mudim, often using simple tools. The event could include processions accompanied by kompang (small drum) music, with the boy carried around the house before the procedure, which might take place on a banana tree trunk. Recovery from the traditional method usually took two to three weeks.

Today, practices have changed, especially in urban areas.Circumcisions are now commonly performed by medical professionals in hospitals, making the procedure safer and more standardized. Modern ceremonies are generally less elaborate than traditional ones, reflecting broader changes in lifestyle and healthcare.

Baby Smuggling and Child-Trafficking in Malaysia

There were report of babies being smuggled into Malaysia by Indonesian syndicates in the early 2000s. The babies were brought by boats at a rate of about two a month. Most of the babies were between three and 12 months old and came from unmarried mothers or women who had been abandoned by their husbands. The babies were smuggled in compartments next to boat engines and were usually only brought in if a buyer was ready. Some babies died before reaching Malaysia.

In May 2008, Malaysia's police seized four infants from an baby-trafficking ring that purchased newborns from poor mothers and sold them to childless couples. Associated Press reported: “Authorities acting on a public tip detained 23 people, including customers seeking to buy babies, during raids on an illegal abortion clinic and four homes, said a police official in southern Johor state. The traffickers persuaded poor, unmarried women who sought abortions to deliver their children instead and sell them, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make public statements.[Source: Sean Yoong, AP, May 25, 2008]

“Others arrested included a gynecologist and a government employee who allegedly forged identification documents for the infants, the official said. The Star newspaper said three Singaporeans were held. The New Straits Times newspaper reported the syndicate paid at least 700 ringgit (US$200) for each baby and sold them for up to 20,000 ringgit (US$6,000). Ethnic Chinese babies were the most popular, it said. Police were investigating how many babies had been previously sold. Welfare authorities took custody of the seized babies — three boys and a girl all under 1-year old, the police official said. The suspects face charges including the unlawful transfer of children's custody, which is punishable by five years in prison.”

In December 2009, year, Malaysian police busted a baby-selling syndicate that had been operating for more than five years and arrested 13 people, including a doctor, and rescued five infants. A woman and her two daughters were charged with trafficking in babies. They face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. Among those arrested were three Indonesian women. A two-month-old baby girl was rescued in Gombak.

The Star/Asia News Network reported: “According to sources, the bust was made possible due to a tip-off from a 40-year-old man, who had been approached by one of the Indonesian women on Christmas Day. The woman had told the man that the baby belonged to a relative who could not afford to keep the child and sought his help to look for a buyer. The baby allegedly came with a RM5,000 price tag. 'The man, who became suspicious of the woman, observed her for a few days before contacting the police,' said the source. [Source: The Star/Asia News Network, January 2, 2010]

“Police enlisted the help of the man in setting up an ambush by getting him to contact the woman for a meeting with the excuse that he had found a couple to buy the baby. The woman then led the man to the back of the house where the baby was kept, after which the police moved in. The rescued baby was sent to Selayang Hospital for a check up before being handed over to the Welfare Department.

Police sources did not rule out the possibility of more arrests. It is learnt that the police are investigating if this group is linked to the 'Klang baby factory', in which 22 people were arrested and nine babies and a toddler were rescued. The syndicate 'hired' women and made them sleep with men. Nine months later, they would 'harvest' the babies born and sell them to childless couples. The 'hired' women were from Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam and the babies were sold for between RM15,000 (S$6,159) and RM20,000 or more, depending on the looks and health of the infant.

In July 2010, police have smashed a child-trafficking racket and rescued eight children and babies. AFP reported: “Police detained 16 suspects, including four Indonesian women, in a sting operation after an Indonesian woman was nabbed last Monday when she tried to sell a 23-day-old baby girl for 10,000 ringgit ($3590). In the latest operation, police rescued a four-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl and detained two Indonesian sisters, said to be the caretakers of the children. Police said they were yet to determine who was behind the group or whether the eight rescued children involved any foreigners. The eight children, including three infants, are aged between 23 days and 12 years. [Source: AFP, July 19, 2010]

"We are still investigating the case," said Huzir Mohamad, the criminal investigation department chief of eastern Sarawak, where the syndicate was busted. He said the police may seek co-operation from Indonesia to ascertain the role of the Indonesian women. The syndicates usually bought babies from poor local women, from neighbouring countries or from foreign maids in the country who were talked out of having abortions. They then sold them to childless couples.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings; 1993; New York Times; Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Smithsonian magazine; Encyclopedia.com; National Geographic; Live Science; Malaysia Tourism websites; Malaysia government websites; UNESCO; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Natural History magazine; Times of London; Library of Congress; The Conversation; The New Yorker; Time; BBC; CNN; Reuters; Associated Press; AFP; Lonely Planet Guides; Google AI; Wikipedia; The Guardian and various websites; books and other publications.

Last updated May 2026