Alarming Surge: Malaysia’s Missing Children Cases Double Since 2021

The number of missing children in Malaysia has doubled since 2021, with new data from Bukit Aman revealing a worrying trend. In January 2026 alone, 98 cases were reported, and teenagers aged 13 to 15 are the most vulnerable group, accounting for 2,507 disappearances. Children under six recorded the fewest cases at 73.

According to the NUR Alert portal, over 300 children are currently missing, some dating back to 2020. However, Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) principal assistant director, Siti Kamsiah Hassan, noted that the recovery rate remains encouraging. Of the 4,655 cases tracked, 4,261 victims were found alive and reunited with their families, while 20 were found dead. The remaining 374 cases remain unsolved, involving victims believed lost at sea or in forests, or possibly victims of crime.

The police identified six primary factors behind disappearances, with 75% involving children running away from home, escaping caretakers, or fleeing schools or shelters. Other factors include falling prey to crime, getting lost in the wilderness, or environmental causes.

Authorities urge parents to act immediately if a child goes missing, as no 24-hour waiting period is required. In 2024, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that officers must accept missing persons reports without delay. The NUR Alert system can be activated for children under 12.

Article and image source: therakyatpost.com